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Democracy, government and law

Statement by the Commonwealth Secretary-General in support of Guyana after Venezuela’s recent legislation on the April 3rd Organic Law on Essequibo 

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, has echoed the concern of His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, after President Nicolás Maduro of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela promulgated the Organic Law for the Defence of Essequiba on 3 April 2024.   
Read news - Statement by the Commonwealth Secretary-General in support of Guyana after Venezuela’s recent legislation on the April 3rd Organic Law on Essequibo 

Nigeria Presidential and National Assembly Elections

In line with the provisions of the 2018 Revised Commonwealth Guidelines for the Conduct of Election Observation in Member Countries, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, constituted an Observer Group for the 25 February 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria, following an invitation from the Chair of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Commonwealth Observer Group was led by His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, former President of the Republic of South Africa, and comprised 16 other eminent Commonwealth citizens. A staff team of 11 from the Commonwealth Secretariat provided technical support to the Group.
Read publication - Nigeria Presidential and National Assembly Elections

Commonwealth observers urge Pakistan citizens to exercise patience as they await the release of final election results

The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) released a statement on its preliminary findings at a press conference in Islamabad, while awaiting the release of complete results from the Electoral Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The observers called for patience and restraint as the results process is finalised.
Read news - Commonwealth observers urge Pakistan citizens to exercise patience as they await the release of final election results

Commonwealth group to observe Pakistan elections

A Commonwealth team, led by former Nigerian President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, will be deployed to Pakistan to observe the general elections scheduled for 8 February 2024. At the request of the Election Commission of Pakistan, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a 13-member Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) is due to arrive in Islamabad on 1 February and will remain in the country until the electoral process is completed.
Read news - Commonwealth group to observe Pakistan elections

Former Prime Minister of Jamaica to head Commonwealth Expert Team observing Bangladesh elections

Former Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Hon Bruce Golding, will lead a ten-person Commonwealth Expert Team (CET) assigned to observe the Bangladesh general elections, to be held on 7 January 2024. Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, following an invitation from the Bangladesh Election Commission, appointed the cross-functional team of experts.
Read news - Former Prime Minister of Jamaica to head Commonwealth Expert Team observing Bangladesh elections