Description
2015 Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum Draws Much Needed Attention to Electoral Challenges in Asia
The 2nd Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum came to a successful close on March 19 after two days of substantive discussions and information sharing
among representatives of Election Management Bodies and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
Coming two years after the inaugural meeting of the AES Forum, this year’s co-hosts, the National Election Commission of Timor-Leste(CNE) and the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), expressed appreciation for the sustained dedication and enthusiasm of all participants. During the Forum’s two days, participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to improve the quality of elections in the region, most visibly through the release of the Dili Indicators of Democratic Elections.
The Dili Indicators are a practical distillation of the Bangkok Declaration for Free and Fair Elections, the set of principles endorsed at the 2012 meeting of the AES Forum. The Indicators provide a practical starting point to assess the quality and integrity of elections across the region.
Participants were also honored to hear from some of the most distinguished and influential leaders of Timor-Leste’s young democracy. The President of Timor-Leste, José Maria Vasconcelos A.K.A “Taur Matan Ruak”, opened the Forum, while Nobel Laureate Dr. Jose Ramos-Jorta, Founder of
the State Dr. Marí Bim Hamude Alkatiri, and the country’s 1st president after independence and Founder of the State Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão also addressed the attendees. Each shared the wisdom gained from their years of trying to consolidate Timorese electoral democracy.
Participants were also honored to hear from some of the most distinguished and influential leaders of Timor-Leste’s young democracy. The President of Timor-Leste, José Maria Vasconcelos A.K.A “TaurMatanRuak”, opened the Forum, while Nobel Laureate Dr. Jose Ramos-Jorta, Founder of the State Dr. Marí Bim Hamude Alkatiri, and the country’s 1st president and Founder of the State Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão also addressed the attendees. Each shared the wisdom gained from their years of trying to consolidate Timorese electoral democracy.