Latest content: Democracy, government and law

The Commonwealth Observer Group has commenced its work in Antigua and Barbuda for the 2026 General Elections, following its deployment by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey.

The Commonwealth has launched a regional training programme focused on the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on elections, bringing together electoral officials from across the Caribbean & Americas to examine how AI can both strengthen and undermine electoral integrity.

The International Moral Guarantors, comprising the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, and the Commonwealth Secretariat, have issued a communiqué following their third assessment mission to Sierra Leone from 13 to 20 April 2026.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, His Excellency Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, former President of the Republic of Malawi, has concluded his visit to the United Republic of Tanzania.

Foreign Ministers from across the Commonwealth convened today at Lancaster House in London for the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting, chaired by Samoa’s Finance Minister, Hon Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o. 

The 72nd Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) met in London today ahead of the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) and next week’s Commonwealth Day celebrations.

Leaders, visionaries, and youth leaders gathered for a Marlborough House Dialogue on 23 February 2026 to engage with Sir Dr Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, on the future of Africa.

These Principles and accompanying Model Law serve as non-binding benchmarks designed to assist smaller jurisdictions to review and modernise their Defence Acts which, in many cases, have remained unchanged since they became independent states.

The Commonwealth Observer Group has commended the peaceful conduct of Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections and the July Charter referendum, while highlighting areas where further progress on inclusion and accessibility could strengthen the democratic process.

Commonwealth law ministers concluded their meeting in Fiji today by committing to new measures aimed at strengthening legal protections for people amid growing democratic, economic and climate pressures.

The Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting opened in Fiji today with calls for sustained action to ensure the rule of law delivers progress and shared prosperity for the people of the Commonwealth in an increasingly uncertain world.

Welcome Address by Prime Minister of Fiji, Hon Sitiveni L. Rabuka, at the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting (CLMM) 2026 at the The Crown Plaza Hotel on Monday 9 February 2026.

Remarks by the Commonwealth Secretary-General at the opening ceremony and gala dinner of the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting (CLMM) 2026 at the The Crown Plaza Hotel on Monday 9 February 2026.

The Commonwealth Observer Group to Bangladesh has commenced its observation of pre-poll arrangements and preparations for the forthcoming Parliamentary Election and Referendum, reaffirming the Commonwealth’s solidarity with the people of Bangladesh at this important moment in the country’s democratic journey.

Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, has deployed a team of Commonwealth experts to observe the February 11 General Election in Barbados.

Fiji will host the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting from 9 to 12 February 2026 at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort in Nadi.

H.E Nana Akufo-Addo, former President of the Republic of Ghana, will lead the Commonwealth Observer Group for Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections and the referendum on the July Charter. The Charter is a post-uprising reform framework proposing political and constitutional changes. Both polls are scheduled for 12 February 2026.

More than 35 judges and magistrates from across South Africa have completed two Commonwealth train-the-trainer workshops, designed to strengthen how courts handle cybercrime cases.

The following statement was issued today by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, on the upcoming 2026 general elections in Uganda.