Latest content: Democracy, government and law

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.

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).

The Commonwealth Secretariat, 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.

Last month, the Commonwealth Secretariat 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.

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. 

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.

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.

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