Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Participants of an All-ASEAN Forum of Election Committees concluded their meeting here on Wednesday with a pledge to strive for the holding of more credible and truly independent elections in their respective countries.

Sri Nuryanti, charwoman of the event`s organizing committee, said the commitment to hold more credible elections was jointly stated by the forum`s participants in a "Jakarta Declaration."

"We want to strengthen our commitment to the holding of more credible and independent elections," Sri said.

The Jakarta Declaration contains nine points of commitment namely improvement of people`s participation in the political, economic, social and cultural sectors, promotion of gender equality and the rights of the disabled, improvement of regulations about political parties and donations for political campaigns and improvement of the technology used to support the election process.

The Forum took place in Jakarta October 3-5 at the Borobudur hotel. The event was participated in by 71 people from five ASEAN member countries, namely Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and the Philippines. The forum was also attended by delegates from Timor Leste, India, the United States, Australia, Jordan, Fiji and international NGOs.
(T.SDP-01/Uu.A051/HAJM/B003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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