<span style="color: #222222;">In Sri Lanka, the fourth Asian electoral stakeholders forum (AESF-IV) will begin in Colombo tomorrow 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. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">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. India is being represented by Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra Ashwini Kumar and an NGO.</span><br />