Page 23 - kpi20482

22 ENHANCING ELECTIONS AS INSTRUMENTS OF DEMOCRACY IN THE ASEAN REGION

an interim period of electoral democracy – has slid back into dictatorship
once more. Finally, Brunei is one of only five states globally that does

not provide for any representative national election to the legislature
at all.” This diverse socio-political environment has resulted in varying
values, meanings, and issues attached to elections across countries.

Elections have been regarded as one of the most significant elements
of representative democracy as they are employed as a means through

which citizens exercise their sovereignty. However, with the increasing
concern over a new wave of authoritarianism and populism taking over
even in long-standing democratic countries like the Philippines and the

United States, and the ongoing debates and discussions in Thailand on
attempts to transition back to a more democratic state of governance

from the current military rule, the call for more meaningful and strategic
electoral engagement and system reform becomes even more relevant.
Electoral commissions – how they are perceived by the electorate, how

well they perform, how they engage with different election stakeholders,
and how they facilitate the resolution of election conflicts and disputes

– play critical institutional roles to make this happen and to prevent a
“retreat from democracy”.

The Philippines and Thailand are striving to maintain and strengthen
their Independent Electoral Commissions (IEC) to ensure that a democratic
government is formed through free, fair, equal and transparent elections

that genuinely reflect the general will. This section presents the
institutional profiles of the IECs of the Philippines and Thailand – their

organization, the context in which they operate, key challenges faced,
and performance in election management.