Latest content: Democracy, government and law

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:

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.

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.

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

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

 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.   

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.  

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.

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.

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:

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. 

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.

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