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AAEI fellows share key takeaways, lessons from program

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Several of the fellows of the inaugural Asian Academy for Electoral Integrity (AAEI) shared their takeaways from the program and how they intend to apply the lessons learned from AAEI.

ANFREL asked fellows from the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Nepal who conducted in-house cascade training sessions with their organizations. Here’s what they have to say:

Alexa Yadao, Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE, Philippines)"We face similar challenges: electoral, democratic challenges across the region and so there are a lot of opportunities to learn from each other especially from younger generation and to build linkages with each other on how to better support each other and share best practices. "Second key takeaway is that there is a need, but also I am hopeful, that there will be more programs offered by organizations like ANFREL and NDI to young people especially election monitors, more capacity building programs, more training because these programs they do not only serve as a networking opportunity for young people like me but they also sort of boost our confidence in terms of contributing more to the work of the organization where we belong in but also to improve the electoral processes in our respective countries."
Alexa Yadao, Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE, Philippines)

 

Sakunthala Senarath, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL, Sri Lanka)"AAEI is an amazing platform we all got the opportunity to get together with different youth from different organizations who are working with election monitoring who have been part of election monitoring. So we got this amazing opportunity to work together, learn together, share our experience and of course get to know each other. "So very important point I have to mention is that this has become the platform for the youth, election monitoring network to get together, to be networked with each other and put ourselves in the front as the next level of at least regional level election observing. So I think it's a very important initiative and I'm very happy to be a part of the first AAEI program."
Sakunthala Senarath, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL, Sri Lanka)

 

Anuruddha Bandara, Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV, Sri Lanka)"The most important thing I got from the AAEI is being able to get network from the other youngsters from Asia. We were able to cover new concepts in democracy and also new trends in election observation like statistical deployment and also new elements in campaign finance monitoring and also money in politics. "We were also able to share experiences in our own countries. It's a good opportunity to network and plan ahead for obstacles in the future."
Anuruddha Bandara, Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV, Sri Lanka)

 

S. Sathyaraj, People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL, Sri Lanka)"As an assistant national coordinator representing PAFFREL, I learned a lot of things in the AAEI training. We learned a lot of things regarding electoral integrity and how election observation is important. We learned several topics regarding electoral integrity as well as international practices in AAEI."
S. Sathyaraj, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL, Sri Lanka)

 

Sanat Parajuli, National Election Observation Committee (NEOC, Nepal)"The topics I learned from AAEI are helpful and they helped me to be skillful as well as enhance my skills in a way that I can apply them in every aspect of my work. "Our organization is planning to do some work in civic education and it will help me to strengthen the skills and techniques necessary for that program. We are also developing tools and methods to systematically observe the election in 2027 in Nepal."
Sanat Parajuli, National Election Observation Committee (NEOC, Nepal)

 

Pratigya Bashyal, National Election Observation Committee (NEOC, Nepal)"AAEI is a program that is organized NDI and ANFREL to bring together the individuals from different countries to further their understanding of electoral integrity. "As a fellow, I had the opportunity to engage with experts and peers on issues related to electoral process, democratic governance, disinformation, electoral integrity so my major takeaway includes deeper understanding of issues and threats posed by disinformation to electoral integrity and the practical strategies to combat these challenges. "The knowledge and skills I gained from AAEI program will be invaluable in my future undoubtedly. I plan to continue advocating for electoral integrity and combating disinformation in various capacities. So by applying the strategies and insights from AAEI program, I aim to contribute to more resilient and informed electoral system, fostering public trust and ensuring that elections are free, fair and credible."
Pratigya Bashyal, National Election Observation Committee (NEOC, Nepal)

 

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