- The fourth Asian electoral stakeholders forum (AESF-IV) will begin in Colombo (Sri Lanka) on August 27, 2018 to discuss the state of elections and democracy in the region.
- The two-day forum is being held for the first time in South Asia with support from the Election Commission of Sri Lanka and the Asian network for free elections (ANFREL).
- The AESF will be attended by more than 250 delegates from 45 countries.
- India is being represented by Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra Ashwini Kumar and an NGO.
- Theme: The theme is, ‘Advancing Election Transparency and Integrity: Promoting and Defending Democracy Together’.
- The forum gives an opportunity for Asian election commissions, election observers, non-government organizations, and interstate bodies to gather and discuss the state of elections and democracy in the region.
- ANFREL was established in 1997, as Asia’s first regional network of civil society organizations focused on elections and election monitoring. It strives to promote and support democratization at national and regional levels in Asia.
