The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey, constituted a Commonwealth Observer Group to observe the 12 May 2026 general election in The Bahamas, following an invitation from the Government of The Bahamas. The COG was led by the Hon. Bruce Golding, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, who also led the COG for The Bahamas’ 2021 general election. The Group comprised four eminent Commonwealth citizens, supported by a staff team from the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Read publication - The Bahamas General ElectionMain page for this area of work
Military officers and legal practitioners from the Gambia Armed Forces recently participated in an intensive training programme in Serekunda to help the country align its military justice system with constitutional, human rights principles and international humanitarian law.
Read news - Commonwealth strengthens military justice and operational effectiveness in The GambiaThe Judiciary of Zambia has begun its final electoral dispute resolution training ahead of the country’s general election on 13 August 2026.
Read news - Zambia’s judiciary prepares to resolve election disputes ahead of 13 August voteThe Commonwealth Secretariat announces the appointment of His Excellency Prof Stephen Montefort, High Commissioner of Malta in the United Kingdom (UK), as new Chairperson of its Board of Governors.
Read news - Chair of Board of Governors announced for the Commonwealth Secretariat This is the final report the Commonwealth Observer Group constituted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General for the parliamentary elections, and referendum on the July Charter, held in Bangladesh on 12 February 2026, at the invitation of the Chief Election Commissioner. Assessing this landmark event in Bangladesh's political history, it offers recommendations on how to deepen democracy and strengthen the country's institutions and electoral processes.
Read publication - Bangladesh Parliamentary Elections and Referendum, 12 February 2026This is the final report the Commonwealth Observer Group constituted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General for the general elections held in Antigua and Barbuda on 30 April 2026, following an invitation from the government. In it, the Group assesses the electoral process and the wider democratic context, and sets out recommendations for consideration by key stakeholders.
Read publication - Antigua and Barbuda General Elections, 30 April 2026The Commonwealth Expert Team (CET) has released its final report on the Parliamentary Elections held in Barbados on 11 February 2026, concluding that the polls were credible, transparent and peaceful, while encouraging targeted reforms to further strengthen the electoral process.
Read news - Commonwealth Expert Team assesses Barbados elections as credible, peaceful and well conductedThe Commonwealth Secretariat has published a new model law to help countries regulate stablecoins - rapidly growing digital currencies now valued at hundreds of billions of dollars globally.
Read news - New Commonwealth model law to help countries regulate stablecoinsThe Commonwealth Observer Group, led by former Prime Minister of Jamaica Bruce Golding, has issued its preliminary findings on the 2026 General Election in The Bahamas, commending the peaceful conduct of the polls while reiterating long standing concerns about the institutional framework governing elections.
Read news - Commonwealth observers praise peaceful Bahamas Election and renew call for independent electoral commissionFormer Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Hon Bruce Golding, has been appointed to lead a Commonwealth Observer Group for The Bahamas’ General Election scheduled for 12 May.
Read press release - Former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding to lead Commonwealth Observation Group for Bahamas polls4 May 2026 to 8 May 2026
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Conference
The Commonwealth Secretariat will convene the 16th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa from 4 to 8 May 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
13 May 2026 to 13 May 2026
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Event
The Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association will co-host a hybrid Rule of Law Seminar focused on advancing the participation of young women in politics in member countries.
By Dr Mohamed Z M Aazim, Adviser, Debt Management, Commonwealth Secretariat.
Read news - Blog: Why sovereign credit ratings matter - A Commonwealth story of stability, debt and market confidenceThe 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.
Read press release - Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting opens with calls to make rule of law work for allWelcome 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.
Read speech - Welcome Address by Prime Minister of Fiji, Hon Sitiveni L. Rabuka, at the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting 2026Remarks 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.
Read speech - Remarks by the Commonwealth Secretary-General at the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting 2026The 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.
Read news - “We are here to affirm the Commonwealth’s solidarity with the people of Bangladesh” – Chair of the Commonwealth Observer GroupCommonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, has deployed a team of Commonwealth experts to observe the February 11 General Election in Barbados.
Read news - Commonwealth experts to observe Barbados election for the first timeFiji will host the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting from 9 to 12 February 2026 at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort in Nadi.
Read press release - Fiji set to host Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting on advancing rule of law5 February 2026 to 18 February 2026
Event
Commonwealth election observers will be in Bangladesh from 05 to 18 February for Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections and the referendum on the July Charter.
The publication of the second edition of the Curriculum Framework for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represents a significant step forward in the ongoing transformation of education as an essential driver for sustainable development throughout the Commonwealth.
Read news - The Second Edition of the Curriculum Framework for the SDGs: Advancing Education for a Sustainable FutureH.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.
Read news - Former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo to lead Commonwealth Observer Group for Bangladesh Elections and Referendum These model guidelines set out how governments can use feasibility studies to ensure that mining projects are responsibly planned and sustainably managed, and provide community benefits and investor confidence.
Read publication - Commonwealth Model Mining Feasibility Study GuidelinesThe 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).
Read news - Commonwealth reaffirms commitment to the Declaration of Principles for international election observationA Commonwealth Observer Group (COG), which observed Guyana’s 1 September 2025 General and Regional Elections has concluded that the elections were largely peaceful with voting, counting, and tabulation professionally managed.
Read news - Guyana elections seen as fair, but inclusivity challenges remain - Commonwealth observer report on Guyana’s 2025 elections