Democracy, government and law

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Guyana General and Regional Elections

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Hon. Shirley Botchwey, constituted a Commonwealth Observer Group for the general and regional elections held on 1 September 2025 in Guyana, following an invitation from the Honourable Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

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Commonwealth reaffirms commitment to the Declaration of Principles for international election observation

The Commonwealth has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting democratic elections and upholding the principles of impartial observation, as set out in the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation (DoP).

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Guyana elections seen as fair, but inclusivity challenges remain - Commonwealth observer report on Guyana’s 2025 elections

A Commonwealth Observer Group (COG), which observed Guyana’s 1 September 2025 General and Regional Elections has concluded that the elections were largely peaceful with voting, counting, and tabulation professionally managed.

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�� upskills legal professionals in Eswatini to support sound governance

The ��, in partnership with the Chandler Institute for Justice, is conducting a capacity-building programme on legislative drafting and law reform for the Kingdom of Eswatini’s Attorney General’s Office, which sits within the Ministry of Justice.

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�� supports leadership development training in Trinidad and Tobago

Last month, the �� joined forces with the Integrity Commission of Trinidad and Tobago to deliver a dynamic week-long leadership and integrity training designed to empower senior officials from key anti-corruption agencies.

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Commonwealth Secretary-General to make first official visit to Bangladesh

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, will begin her first official visit to Bangladesh this week to engage with a range of stakeholders at a pivotal moment in the country’s national journey.

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Commonwealth Secretary-General appoints HE Dr Lazarus Chakwera as Special Envoy to Tanzania

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, has appointed HE Dr Lazarus Chakwera, the immediate past President of Malawi, as her Special Envoy to the United Republic of Tanzania.

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Kenya’s cybercrime response strengthened with Commonwealth and UK support

More than 50 magistrates from across Kenya have completed a specialised Commonwealth training this week to better handle cybercrime cases that affect people and businesses every day.

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Promoting peace

The Secretary-General’s Good Offices for Peace Section of the Secretariat supports the Secretary-General's mandate to facilitate peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts within member countries or between members, promoting stability, democracy, and human rights.

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Statement on post-election violence in Tanzania

In response to the ongoing post-election violence in Tanzania, the Secretary General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey said:

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How Commonwealth training helped strengthen Malawi’s 2025 elections 

When Sangwani Mwafulirwa first joined the Malawi Electoral Commission, he knew election management would be challenging. What he hadn’t fully grasped was just how much responsibility rested on the shoulders of electoral officials.

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Ghanaian justice and security officials better equipped to protect victims of cybercrime

More than 60 Ghanaian judges, prosecutors and investigators took part in two Commonwealth symposiums this week, designed to strengthen their ability to handle cybercrime cases affecting both people and businesses.

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Commonwealth statement on procedure for releasing observer reports

The �� is guided by, and is deeply committed to, the values of the ��, which are shared by all our member countries.

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�� works to tackle corruption in Africa

Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) across Commonwealth Africa have strengthened their institutional capacity following recent training by the ��. In collaboration with the Financial Crimes Commission of Mauritius, the Secretariat delivered vital training to ACAs in Port Louis.

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Commonwealth experts encouraged by Botswana’s handling of 2024 elections

 An expert team from the Commonwealth deployed to observe the 2024 Botswana elections, has stated in its final report that the electoral process was transparent.  

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Commonwealth Observer Group report calls for electoral reforms in Mozambique

The Commonwealth Observer Group’s (COG) final report on the 2024 Mozambique general elections has highlighted the need for electoral reforms to strengthen the country's democratic institutions. 

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Commonwealth Observer Group releases final report on Pakistan 2024 General Elections

The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG), which observed Pakistan’s 2024 general elections, has released its final report. The report notes areas for improvement and provides recommendations for strengthening the independence of the country’s democratic institutions.

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Commonwealth Foreign Ministers unite at UN to champion multilateralism and drive reform

Foreign Ministers from across the Commonwealth convened today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the 25th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM), chaired by Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Toelupe Maoiautele Poumulinuku Onesemo.

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Statement on Commonwealth Observer Group’s final report on 2024 Pakistan general elections

In response to a recent news report about the Commonwealth Observer Group’s final report on Pakistan’s 2024 general elections, a Commonwealth spokesperson said:

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Commonwealth Observer Group report urges institutional reforms in Gabon

The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) has released its report on the 2025 Presidential Election in Gabon, recommending institutional and capacity-building reforms be made as soon as possible to strengthen the country's democratic processes.

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2026 Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting in Fiji

9 February 2026 to 12 February 2026

(FJT - Fiji Time)

Ministerial meeting

The Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting (CLMM) will be held in Fiji from 9 to 12 February 2026

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Commonwealth observers urge Guyana to implement recommendations to enhance electoral process

A Commonwealth team, tasked with observing Guyana's 2025 general and regional elections, has urged Guyana to implement crucial recommendations aimed at enhancing the credibility and transparency of future elections.

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25th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM)

22 September 2025 to 22 September 2025

(EST - New York time)

Ministerial meeting

The 25th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) will take place on Monday, 22 September 2025, 10:00–13:00 EST, at UN Headquarters, New York.

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Commonwealth observers deployed to polling stations nationwide, as Guyana general elections gets underway

Observers from the Commonwealth are on duty, throughout Guyana - at Charity, Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Lethem and Linden, as citizens choose their representatives.

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Commonwealth Observer Group begin work in Guyana, ahead of September poll

The 11-person team has been deployed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General to observe the entire polling process, following an invitation from the Guyana Elections Commission.

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