The Commonwealth Secretary-General has renewed his call for Commonwealth values to be upheld. This follows recent developments in member countries affecting the rights of Commonwealth citizens based on their sexual orientation.
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Secretary-General calls for respect on sexual orientation and gender identity
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One of the Observer Group’s findings was that despite repeated delays and uncertainty around the process, Maldivian voters remained engaged and repeatedly turned out in large numbers to cast their ballot and express their will.
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Commonwealth Observer Group issues final report on 2013 election in Maldives
The Commonwealth has been following closely the situation in Bangladesh relating to the parliamentary elections held on 5 January 2014
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Commonwealth comments on elections; urges dialogue in Bangladesh
Celebrating the year in pictures
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The Commonwealth in 2013
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, has sent a pre-election assessment mission to Bangladesh this week, following an invitation from the Chief Elections Commissioner.
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Commonwealth deploys election assessment team to Bangladesh
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Colombo, Sri Lanka, 15-17 November 2013
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CHOGM 2013 Communiqué
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 15-17 November 2013
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Colombo Declaration on Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Development
The 16 November 2013 Maldivian presidential run-off election brings to a successful conclusion what has been a credible, but unnecessarily protracted, electoral process.
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Maldives Presidential Elections 16 November 2013: Interim Statement
The 22nd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) opened today in Sri Lanka’s capital city Colombo with a theatrical welcome to leaders and representatives from the Commonwealth’s 53 member countries.
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Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting opens
Theme: ‘Growth with Equity; Inclusive Development’
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CHOGM 2013 Opening Ceremony: Commonwealth Secretary-General's speech
CMAG has decided to place Maldives once again on its formal agenda, pending the holding of a credible election on 16 November and the inauguration of a new president.
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Statement on Maldives by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group
The Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Sir Donald McKinnon, visited Malé from 3 to 12 November 2013 to offer his support to Maldives in its efforts to conclude the current presidential elections and develop political stability.
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Maldives presidential election: statement by Commonwealth Special Envoy on 12 November 2013
Commendable effort made to meet benchmarks for democratic elections
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Commonwealth Expert Team issues Final Report on 2013 Legislative and Municipal Elections in Cameroon
The Commonwealth Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Maldives Sir Donald McKinnon tonight expressed dismay at the decision by President Waheed to remain in office against the letter and spirit of the constitution.
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Calm must prevail in the interests of all Maldivians - Commonwealth Special Envoy
The 9 November Presidential Election was an important milestone towards sustaining the democratic process in Maldives.
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Maldives Presidential Elections 9 November 2013: Interim Statement
The Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Maldives, Sir Donald McKinnon, has issued the following statement:
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The Maldivian people must look to their Constitution for guidance, says Commonwealth Special Envoy
The Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Sir Donald McKinnon, noted this evening that he was pleased that the 9 November Maldives presidential election was able to take place today in a calm and peaceful manner.
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Commonwealth Special Envoy to Maldives urges swift conclusion to electoral process
Dr Lawrence Gonzi, former Prime Minister of Malta, is again leading the eight-member Group for the election.
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Commonwealth observers return to Maldives for 9 November presidential election
The Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Sir Donald McKinnon, has held discussions with a number of Maldivian stakeholders, including a long interaction with the Elections Commission.
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Statement by the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy To Maldives, Sir Don McKinnon
The Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Maldives, Sir Donald McKinnon, will visit Male’ from 3 to 7 November 2013, as part of his continuing engagement with Maldives to promote the consolidation of democracy, and Commonwealth values and principles.
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Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to visit Maldives
Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has issued the report of the Commonwealth Observer Mission to Sri Lanka’s Northern Provincial Council Election, held on 21 September 2013.
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Commonwealth issues final report on Sri Lanka’s Northern Provincial elections
The elections were generally well organised, but fell short of meeting Swaziland’s key international obligations for democratic elections
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Commonwealth releases report on the 2013 elections in Swaziland
Elections were peaceful and met key democratic electoral benchmarks
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Commonwealth releases Expert Team report on 2013 legislative polls in Rwanda
"This initiative is a tangible illustration of how important well-managed and credible elections are to the Commonwealth, which has democracy as one of its core values" - Amitav Banerji, Director of Political Affairs, Commonwealth Secretariat
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Commonwealth Junior Election Professionals initiative: speech by Amitav Banerji
Participants will examine how technology can contribute to more inclusive, transparent and credible elections across the Commonwealth.
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Commonwealth Junior Election Professionals initiative launched in India