Latest content: Promoting Democracy

Peaceful and credible elections but not yet satisfying all key benchmarks

Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini of Swaziland has said his country is committed to upholding Commonwealth values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Interim Statement

Commonwealth Electoral Network members commit to strengthening electoral processes across the Commonwealth

Commonwealth Electoral Network gets dedicated online meeting place

Statement by Chair, Dr Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Communications of Trinidad and Tobago

Arrival Statement

Arrival Statement by Edward Natapei, Vanuatu’s former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group, which will observe Papua New Guinea's elections

London, 15 June 2012 – A Commonwealth Observer Group will be in Papua New Guinea for the country’s forthcoming national elections, to be held in June and July 2012. The Group will consist of eight observers, supported by six Commonwealth Secretariat staff. Mr Nipake Edward Natapei, Vanuatu’s former Prime Minister, will lead the Group.

London, 8 June 2012 – Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has welcomed the peaceful democratic transition in the Kingdom of Lesotho and congratulated Prime Minister Motsoahae Tom Thabane on assuming the leadership of the country, following the 26 May 2012 Parliamentary elections.

"Developing and strengthening democratic institutions and processes is a cornerstone of the Commonwealth’s work"– Masire-Mwamba

Government of Maldives and former President Nasheed reach agreement on the nominee to the country’s Commission of National Inquiry

Departure Statement

We have noted the comments attributed in the media on 30 May 2012 to the Press Secretary of the President of Maldives regarding the nominee of former President Nasheed to the Commission of National Inquiry.

Kamalesh Sharma's statement

“A peaceful Election Day in the evolving electoral system of Lesotho – a maturing democracy.”

Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group, former Malawi President Dr Bakili Muluzi, issues interim statement

The attention of the Commonwealth Secretariat has been drawn to a report dated 25 May 2012, originally published by PR Newswire and since carried by other media outlets, both in Maldives locally and internationally.

As the people of Lesotho go to the polls on Saturday 26 May 2012, I would like, on behalf of the Commonwealth Observer Group which I am leading, to call upon all stakeholders in the electoral process to play their roles with due diligence to ensure that the process on polling day, the counting, the announcement of results and events thereafter go smoothly without incident.

Responding to events this week in Papua New Guinea, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma today strongly reiterated his call for respect of the rule of law in that country.  He urged all parties to exercise restraint in their actions and to ensure a peaceful and constructive resolution to the present situation through democratic and lawful processes.

Arrival Statement

Commonwealth observers for the 26 May 2012 elections in Lesotho have called on all stakeholders in the process to act responsibly and shun violence in the lead up to, during and after the polls.

Commission of National Inquiry Strengthened

Anti-corruption agencies from all 19 Commonwealth African countries will share strategies and innovative solutions in tackling corruption at a conference in Livingstone, Zambia, from 21 to 25 May.

Departure Statement by Sir Donald McKinnon, Commonwealth Special Envoy to Maldives