STOCKHOLM/JAKARTA – ASEAN, through the initiative of the Philippines and in cooperation with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), launched the report on the ASEAN Election Observation Workshop on 19th October 2015 at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia. A copy of the Report was symbolically handed to H.E. Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee, Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Nur Hassan Wirajuda, Philippine Ambassador to ASEAN Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, DSG Arthakaivalvatee, and COMELEC Commissioner Luie Tito F. Guia officiated the event, which was witnessed by members of the ASEAN Committee of Representatives, other Ambassadors and diplomats based in Jakarta , officials of the International IDEA, media and other civil society representatives.
The Report records the proceedings of the Election Observation workshop held in Manila, the Philippines, on June 24-25 2015. Officials of election management bodies (EMBs) and Ministries of Foreign Affairs of ASEAN Member States learned about election observation missions of various regional organizations like the Organization of American States OAS, the European Union and African Unionin the workshop. Other stakeholders, including a civil society organization, also shared their experiences on election observation.
In her remarks, Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso hailed the workshop, the first of its kind to ever be held in ASEAN, as an excellent example of how to realize a truly people-centered ASEAN which will be the focus of the ASEAN Vision 2025- the new roadmap that will chart the direction of ASEAN in the next ten years. She said that the workshop underscored the symbiotic relationship of governments and civil society to enable them to deliver credible, satisfactory and legitimate election results for the benefit of the people. “Member States should consciously include and harness the valuable contribution that civil society can make in the common vision of ASEAN integration and community building.” She said that the ASEAN Election Observation Workshop effectively implemented a few action lines in the ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC) Blueprint, especially under the headings, “Promoting understanding and appreciation of political systems, culture and history” and “Promoting Principles of Democracy.”
In his keynote speech, Dr. Nur Hassan Wirajuda, also amember of the Global Commission on Elections, Democracy and Security, International IDEA and Kofi Annan Foundation, underscored the core values of the APSC--promotion of democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights and good governance and peaceful conflict resolution.
He expressed the hope that the charting of the new ASEAN roadmap to integration by 2025 would provide an opportunity to add elements of enhancing ASEAN democratic processes including capacity building for the conduct of national elections. “I hope the report and recommendations of the workshop present a strategy that will deepen democracy and improve the integrity of national elections in ASEAN.”
International IDEA, an intergovernmental organization that has engaged the ASEAN Secretariat through the Inter Regional Dialogue on Democracy, lent its expertise to the workshop. The Mission of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN also supported the workshop.
For her part, Ms. Leena Rikkila Tamang, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, International IDEAsaid that “It is a fundamental principle of IDEA’s approach that building of democratic institutions within any community comes from within that community and cannot be imposed from outside, while the sharing of experience among peers can enrich and inform the process.”
Report Highlights
- Respect to the state sovereignty, and adherence to the law of the host country, respecting the internationally recognised global standards for domestic election monitoring, and the global principles and codes of conduct for observers.
- Electoral integrity is a fundamental element of democracy; electoral observers can play a vital role, raising voter confidence, reassurance, providing credible and essential feedbacks before, during the elections, and after the elections are over.
- EMB independence, voter registration, media freedom, freedom of movement, women’s participation, access for disabled people, minority participation, and use of money in campaigns and political financing are all key issues which may be addressed during electoral cycle implementation and for recognition of credible elections by regional and international community.
Key recommendations :
- Developing and strengthening ASEAN Network of Election Monitoring Bodies
- ASEAN EMBs, International IDEA and dialogue partners should open dialogue and engage the AMS High Level Task Force on ASEAN Community Vision 2025 to get election observation expressed within the ASEAN political cooperation agenda.
- Based on the tentative dates declared by various AMS, Myanmar General Elections on 8 November 2015, the Philippines Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections on 9 May 2016, Indonesian General Elections 2019, and Thailand General Elections sometime in 2017 (undecided) present opportunities to ASEAN and IDEA in putting together a regional framework for elections observation as trials and learning opportunities.
- Asian Engagement with other EMBs, IDEA could facilitate an Asia Regional experience sharing with other EMBs sometime in 2016, which could provide opportunity for the ASEAN region to both share and learn from other Asian experiences on election observation.
- Engaging ASEAN & Asian Civil Society, IDEA and ASEAN Secretariat can gradually facilitate the participation as dialogue partners of various groups working at regional, sub-regional and national level for the electoral rights of vulnerable groups, minorities, women, and physically challenged people, ensuring that the right to vote is upheld with the utmost respect by EMBs and the legal framework developed is reflective of the inclusive goal of the ASEAN Political Security Community.
- Resource persons encouraged ASEAN EMBs and host governments to be open to the possibility of having domestic and international election observation missions (EOMs) and not to view these missions as impinging on sovereignty and interfering in internal affairs of the state.
The following are the speeches delivered during the launch:
Remarks of Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso
Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN
Launch of the ASEAN Workshop on
Election Observation Report
ASEAN Secretariat , 19 October 2015, 11:00 a.m.
Your Excellency, Pak Nur Hassan Wirajuda, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Deputy Secretary GeneralVongthep Arthakaivalvatee, Commissioner Luie Guia of the Philippine Commission on Elections, Charge d' Affaires Sang-beom Lim, Ms. Leena Rikkila Tamang, of IDEA, distinguished colleagues from the Diplomatic Corps, particularly my friends at the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR), dear friends from the media and civil society, Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good morning!
I am honored to welcome you today to the launch of the publication recording the results of the first-ever ASEAN workshop on election observation, which was held in Manila last June and organized by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), with valuable support from the government of the Republic of Korea.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, in a month’s time, the Leaders of ASEAN will officially launch the establishment of the ASEAN Community 2015 and unveil the roadmap that will chart the future direction of ASEAN in the next ten years- the ASEAN Vision 2025-Forging Ahead Together. While I do not want to pre-empt the Leaders in announcing what this important documents has in store for us, I am pleased to share with you that ASEAN Vision 2025 aims to build a Community that is people-centered, rather than people-oriented, with all three pillars aiming to work together for the good of the peoples of ASEAN.
The topic of the Workshop, election observation, and the partners chosen by its Organizers , the IDEA, best exemplify how this vision of a people-centered ASEAN can be translated into action. I attended the Workshop myself and heard inspiring stories from both election observers and election management bodies, how governments and civil society can both nurture this symbiotic relationship where the ultimate beneficiaries are the peoples of ASEAN. When the principles of democracy and democratic processes, rule of law, good governance, accountability and inclusiveness , which by the way are enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, are safeguarded and put into action by all stakeholders in the twin tasks of regional integration and community building, then the vision of an ASEAN community that is peaceful, prosperous and productive cannot be far from our reach.
The ASEAN Election Observation Workshop effectively implemented a few action lines in the APSC Blueprint, especially under the headings, “Promoting understanding and appreciation of political systems, culture and history” and “Promoting Principles of Democracy.”
The ASEAN workshop on election observation in Manila successfully implemented its objective to discuss the basic principles and issues involved in election observations and to share best practices and principles which should help both election management bodies and election observers deliver credible , legitimate, and satisfactory election results to the people, thus averting possible political vacuums , uncertainty and even conflict and which eventually lead to stable, peaceful nurturing environments. While not prescribing a one-size -fits -all formula given the diverse political systems, economic and socio-cultural backgrounds of ASEAN members states, the Workshop, I believe, succeeded in convincing participants about the desirability of factoring in election observation in their democratic processes while pointing to the need for both election management bodies and election observers to establish a mutually beneficial, friendly , rather than adversarial ,modus vivendi.
One of the solid recommendations of the Workshop , which I fully endorse, is the enhancement of the role of women in democratic processes. I hope that this important project will be implemented next year. I understand that the Philippine Comelec is ready to take up that challenge? In my other role as the Philippine representative to the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR), I and my colleagues are also undertaking initiatives to push forward the agenda of peace, gender mainstreaming and the promotion and protection of human rights, especially those of women and children. The Philippines will be hosting in December this year the Workshop on the Plight of Women and Children in Conflict Situations , which we are undertaking with Norway and Switzerland. My colleagues here present will attest to my passion to advance the agenda of this other WPS, not the West Philippine Sea, although that is also my other favorite subject, but Women, Peace and Security under the framework of UNSCR 1325.
Friends, activities and goals such as the ones accomplished by the first ASEAN Election Observation Workshop in Manila make ASEAN a really people-centered Community. I hope that this will not be the last of its kind and that all of us, governments, civil society, regional institutions, the men-on-the street, become involved in building upon and deepening our integration process to realize a rules-based, people-oriented, people-centered ASEAN Community. The Leaders envision a peaceful, stable and resilient Community.
Thank you for being one with us this morning in realizing this dream. Thank you Pak Hassan for gracing this occasion and thank you, dear colleagues and friends for your presence this morning. Mabuhay! Terima kasih. Salamat po!
Remarks for Launch of the ASEAN Workshop on Election Observation Report
By Mr. Sang-beom Lim, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Republic of Korea
Good Morning! My name is Sang-beom Lim, deputy chief of the mission of the Republic of Korea. Since Ambassador Suh Jeong-in is on the mission to Seoul, I am honored to be here on behalf of the Ambassador. Amb Suh was very sorry that he could not make it today.
Excellency Ambassador Elizabeth Buensuceso, Excellency Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee, Deputy Secretary General for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, Ms. Leena Rikkila Tamang, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, International IDEA, Excellency Dr. Nur Hassan Wirajuda, Member of the Global Commission on Election, IDEA, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
First of all, I would like to congratulate the organizers, the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, the Commission on Elections of the Philippines, and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance on successful holding of the workshop. We are very pleased that the Republic of Korea could contribute to this meaningful project.
I also thank the Mission of the Philippines, Excellency Ambassador Buensuceso and the Secretariat for preparing today’s event and for kindly inviting the Republic of Korea. As you know, the Republic of Korea has firm commitment to the development of relations with the ASEAN as a strategic partner that seeks to thrive and prosper together. We are pleased to continue to upgrade our strategic partnership even further, since the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit in Busan last December. I believe that this project is one of the good examples showing a strong cooperation between the Republic of Korea and ASEAN.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
The ASEAN Charter stipulates the principles such as democracy, rule of law and good governance. The ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC) Blueprint also includes actions in relation to election. For example, A1.1. action ii, says “Hold seminars/workshops to share experiences on democratic institutions, gender mainstreaming, and popular participation”; and A1.1. action iii, says specifically “Endeavour to compile best practices of voluntary electoral observations”. In this sense, the first ever ASEAN Workshop on Election Observation, which was convened in June this year in Manila, served as a good momentum to implement such action lines of the APSC Blueprint.
In addition, the publication of this report is very timely and meaningful given that the launching of ASEAN Community is now just two months away. We are looking forward to launching of ASEAN Community and are very much interested in what it would look like as well as how it would be evolving.
In our view, in order to achieve more substantive and complete integration of the ASEAN, the development of the three main pillars, namely, Political-Security, Economic and Socio-Cultural Community in a comprehensive and balanced way is needed. In this regard, the Manila workshop and this report certainly would contribute to the completion of ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC) by focusing on various aspects of election observation.
I am sure that in-depth and constructive discussions on the election observation were made throughout the workshops in Manila and the outcomes are indeed well summarized and recorded in the report. We hope that the report would be utilized as a useful and practical reference for considering further steps to be taken.
Excellencies, ladies and Gentlemen,
In Korea, we say ‘Election is the flower of the democracy’, meaning that the election is very crucial for every one of us to participate into the decision making process. As introduced during the workshop in Manila, the ROK government has established the national institution, which is specialized in management and scrutinizing the election, called National Election Commission (NEC). The NEC is the central tower for all the elections in the Republic of Korea and now it has been invited to observe several elections overseas. Let me reiterate that we are willing to share our experiences.
Finally, I would like to once again commend the organizers for successful conclusion of the workshop and congratulate on launching a report.
I thank you very much for kind attention./End/
Message: Leena Rikkila Tamang/ Launch of the ASEAN Workshop on Election Observation Report
Ambassador Elizabeth, Buensuceso, Permanent Representative,
H.E Dr Nur Hassan Wirajuda,
Chargè d’ Affaires Mr. Sang-beom Lim,
Commissioner Luie Tito F. Guia,
Deputy Secretary General, ASEAN, H.E. Arthakaivalvatee,
All distinguished participants, media representatives,
I am very glad and honored to be here today to mark the launch of a report from ASEAN workshop on Election Observation, held in Manila earlier this year.
International IDEA, Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, is the only global intergovernmental organization with the sole mandate supporting democracy, and celebrates 20 years this year since it’s founding. IDEA has worked for several years with ASEAN partners, for example through the ASEAN Electoral Management Bodies’ Forum held in Jakarta in 2011, through regional constitutional training, and through comparative discussion and training on electoral dispute resolution.
In addition, the ASEAN Secretariat has been an active and engaged partner of the Inter Regional Dialogue on Democracy convened by IDEA, in the course of which regional organizations worldwide have compared experiences and discussed democracy and governance issues including electoral process, political representation, and rule of law and constitutional issues. (The 5th inter-regional dialogue took place in last week in Addis Abeba, hosted by the African Union)
It is a fundamental principle of IDEA’s approach that building of democratic institutions within any community comes from within that community and cannot be imposed from outside, while the sharing of experience among peers can enrich and inform the process. As the ASEAN Secretariat and Member States continue to move to implement the ASEAN Charter, IDEA is thus delighted now to have been able to further support that process in a very practical way through this workshop.
The workshop report discusses incremental steps to ASEAN Secretariat, and its Member States, to organically develop two new regional frameworks, such as the ASEAN Election Observation Mechanism (EOM) and an ASEAN Election Monitoring Body (EMB) in the foreseeable future. The conclusions and the recommendations are a vibrant reflection of the readiness of ASEAN Member States to consider these steps, and fulfill the commitments and aspirations already enshrined in the framework of ASEAN Political and Security Community (APSC). In the report, relevant experiences of EU, OAS and African Union, and of Republic of Korea, on developing their election observation mechanisms are shared and discussed.
The report includes number of recommendations, one of them is a suggestion that IDEA facilitates an Asian regional experience sharing with other EMBs sometime in 2016 to share and learn from other Asian countries which have invited and hosted election observation missions. Another suggestion was to organise the Electoral Observation workshop at the national level in AMSs.
I wish to thank everyone involved in the successful conduct of the ASEAN Workshop on Elections Observation, and in organizing today’s launch. I want to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Permanent Delegation to ASEAN of Republic of the Philippines, and the Commission on Elections, an IDEA member state, for inviting IDEA to collaborate, and Republic of Korea for the generous support. And our sincere thanks to the ASEAN secretariat for your co-operation all along.
LAUNCH OF THE ASEAN WORKSHOP
ON ELECTION OBSERVATION REPORT
KEYNOTE SPEECH
BY
DR HASSAN WIRAJUDA
JAKARTA, 19 OCTOBER 2015
Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a distinct honor and privilege for me to join you this morning at the Launch of the ASEAN Workshop on Election Observation Report.
I commend the Government of the Philippines and the International IDEA for co-sponsoring the Workshop in Manila last June, with the financial support of the Government of Korea.
The launch of the report is timely not only that at the end of this year, the ASEAN Community will officially begin and therefore this would contribute to the implementation of the ASEAN Political and Security Community (APSC) -- an issue which is very dear to me personally -- in particular toward the continuous improvement of the APSC Blue Print and Plan of Actions.
As stated in the objectives of the co-sponsors of the Workshop, is that the report represents the beginning of what could become an ASEAN model for election observation that is reflective of the ASEAN spirit while providing mechanisms which promise to ensure professionalism, neutrality, and complete transparency. It is heartening to read that many, if not all, ASEAN member States recognize the intrinsic worth of election observation. Elections monitors help ensure the integrity of elections which are key to democracy promotion.
I hope the report and its recommendations of the workshop present a strategy that will deepen democracy and improve the integrity of national elections in ASEAN.
In my view, it is important to promote strategies and technicalities which are needed to promote free, fair, democratic as well as peaceful elections, but nonetheless, the importance of strengthening ASEAN member states commitment to their own agenda of democracy promotion, in particular, as we are about to enter the first year of transformation of ASEAN into the ASEAN Community. As a matter of fact, the ASEAN Community building is primarily seen from the perspective of the ASEAN Economic Community and perhaps the Socio-Cultural Community but much less of the Political and Security Community, in which the promotion of democracy and human rights are important core values.
ASEAN and Democracy Promotion
Democracy and human rights are new to ASEAN’s lexicon. They were even taboo to use it, some even allergic to it. The 2003 Bali ASEAN Summit was a milestone, when ASEAN leaders agreed to elevate ASEAN from a rather loose association for 36 years, into a Community based on the three pillars: political and security, economic as well socio-cultural community. The core values of the APSC are promotion of democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights, and good governance and peaceful conflict resolution.
For decades, Asia has exempted itself from the waves of democratization that swept the world, the last one happened following the end of the Cold War. For the first time in 2003, democracy and human rights have become strategic agenda of ASEAN – which later were enshrined in the ASEAN Charter. The completion of the ratification process by all members in December 2008 reflects strong collective political and legal commitment of all and every member of ASEAN. The promotion of democracy and human rights are ASEAN issues, as well as a national obligation of each member state. Consequently, any action on the contrary, is no longer a domestic matter. It is also an ASEAN matter. A military coup d’etat is therefore a violation of the Charter.
I know some of us are still clinging to the ancient concept of non-interference in domestic affairs. The principle was even claimed as a sacrosanct ASEAN principle, forgetting that it was contained in the United Nations Charter –article 2 paragraph 7 – long before ASEAN was even born. It is now widely seen as a dynamic concept: in 1993 at the 2nd World Conference of Human Rights in Vienna –it was agreed by consensus that human rights (violations) are no longer a national concern, it is a matter of international concern. Keep in mind that one half of human rights norms are civil and political—and those include rights to have political participation, right to vote and to be nominated, freedom of opinion and expression, assembly and association, and the right of equal access to public service – which are essential ingredients of democracy.
Elections with Integrity and Democracy
Since the year 2000, all but 11 countries in the world have held elections. But only slightly more than half of those elections could be considered as elections with integrity, is based on the democratic principle of universal suffrage and political equality. As reflected in international standards and agreements, being professional, impartial, and transparent in its preparation and administration throughout the electoral cycle,in (almost) all ASEAN member countries, elections are regularly held but not all of them are elections with integrity. To have elections with integrity, civil and political rights have to be fully respected. Regular elections may not, therefore, necessarily be elections with integrity – but some only a facade.
Balanced Concept and Imbalanced Implementation of ASEAN Community Pillars
From its inception in 2003, ASEAN visualized a balanced concept of community building. Against the background of economic crisis and the need to strengthen ASEAN cohesiveness and competitiveness, ASEAN Community was proposed. But in Indonesia’s view, economic integration alone would not guarantee the sustainability of the ASEAN community building process. That’s why there are three pillars: namely AEC but also APSC and ASCC, as enshrined in the ASEAN Charter. But its implementation, as reflected by the blueprints of the ASEAN pillars, in my view, there is an imbalance. Not only in terms of the pages of the each blueprint, but also in terms of the quality of each of those pillars are different. Old habits die hard. The ASEAN community blueprints are heavily economic. From the very beginning, I knew that the political and security pillar, in particular the promotion of democracy and human rights, are sensitive and controversial issues.
ASEAN has agreed on the Roadmap to Integration by 2025. Blueprints and Plan of Actions are to be renewed. It would provide an opportunity to improve the Blueprints of the APSC, including by adding elements of capacity building of national elections, by using more meaningful Blueprints and Plan of Actions which like the other two pillars, consist of clear timelines and measurable targets. Only by this will we have a democratic ASEAN sooner than I anticipated.
Thank you for your kind attention.
MESSAGE
By Commissioner Luie Tito F. Guia
(Commission on Elections, Philippines)
At the Launch of the
ASEAN Workshop on Election Observation Report
His Excellency Dr. Nur Hassan Wirajuda, His Excellency ASEAN Deputy Secretary General VongthepArthakaivalvatee, His Excellency Charge d’ Affaires of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Indonesia, Sang-beon Lim,Her Excellency Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buencuseso,Madam Leena RikkilaTamang, member of the diplomatic community other equally distinguished guests in this event, on behalf of the Commission on Elections of the Republic of the Philippines, I wish to express our institution’s sincerest gratitude and appreciation for the trust and confidence bestowed on us when we were granted the opportunity to play a significant part in organizing the first ever ASEAN Workshop on Election Observation in Manila last June. The Commission on Elections also feels honored and privileged that it was invited to be present at the launch of the Workshop Report today.
The Commission on Elections is presently in the thick of Philippines preparation for its May 9, 2016 National Elections but it cannot miss the opportunity to be part of this auspicious event. Chairperson Juan Andres D. Bautista would have wanted to grace this occasion personally but urgent matters that he needs to attend to today constrains him from coming. He nevertheless sends his personal appreciation and gratitude to the ASEAN Secretariat and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance for taking the lead in conceptualizing the project, and to the Republic of Korea for its generous support of the endeavor. The Commission on Elections will stay committed to support efforts toward enhancing amity and cooperation among the member nations of the ASEAN, particularly in the area of furthering electoral democracy in the region.
The launch of the workshop report shouldnot be the end of this endeavor. Rather, it should just be the beginning of the effort to promote elections as primary means of ensuring peace, security and stability in each of the member nations of ASEAN and in the Southeast Asian region. The candid and dynamic discussions during the plenary and breakout sessions of the workshop, as effectively captured in the Workshop Report, unmistakably show the openness of the member nations to share and receive knowledge learning and experience on elections. We should therefore be conceptualizing follow-up efforts to ensure that the enthusiasm demonstrated is maintained.
It has been said that the holding of elections does not guarantee democracy. It is hard to dispute the fact, however, that, in this time and age, there can be no democracy unless there is election, that is, genuine democratic election. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, have declared that every person’s right to political participation in his or her country through genuine and periodic electionsis a basic human right and is therefore to be observed and protected as a peremptory norm in international law.But while there is agreement that the holding of genuine election is a prerequisite for democracy to exist, there is a need to consider the historical, political and social contexts and experiences of country that impact on the development of its democratic institutions. There is no “one size fits all” formulain elections.
It is in this sense that regional dialogue in the area of election and democracy promotion is necessary and important. Being connected not only by geographic proximity but also by historical and socio-cultural affinity, conventional wisdom tells us that we, in the ASEAN, should know and understand each other more, than how those from outside of the region know and understands us. The comfort level to be candid and frank amongst us, as demonstrated in the workshop last June, promises a better chance of electoral democracy blossoming further in the region. Just like the Organization of American States, the European Union, the African Union, all of which already have an institutionalized election observation mechanism, it is timely for the ASEAN to be moving towards the same direction, especially as we move towards integration.
I have always believed that continued dialogue amongst the member countries in the region on the subject of elections should be pursued as it does not only foster understanding, it also provides the election managers of each country knowledge and idea on how they can improve their own electoral processes. You can never go wrong with a continuing dialogue, knowledge sharing and cooperation. Perhaps the ASEAN and the International IDEA can again take the lead in organizing similar dialogues and conversation among the region’s election stakeholders on the other thematic areas of election such as: gender and elections, technology and election administration, political finance, security and peace in elections, election dispute resolution or electoral justice, inclusiveness or accessibility of elections, election result management, election audit, etc.
Pardon my expression of excitement in the prospects shown by the success of the election observation workshop project, but we should continue to build on our successes less we be again overtaken by circumstances that will cause democracy to retrogress. The Commission on Elections in the Philippines, in partnership with our Department of Foreign Affairs, remains committed to participate actively in democracy promotion in the region. Thank you, Terima Kasih, Maraming Salamat sa inyong lahat.
