Latest content: Promoting Democracy

Statement by Chair, Dr Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Communications of Trinidad and Tobago

Arrival Statement

Arrival Statement by Edward Natapei, Vanuatu’s former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group, which will observe Papua New Guinea's elections

London, 15 June 2012 – A Commonwealth Observer Group will be in Papua New Guinea for the country’s forthcoming national elections, to be held in June and July 2012. The Group will consist of eight observers, supported by six Commonwealth Secretariat staff. Mr Nipake Edward Natapei, Vanuatu’s former Prime Minister, will lead the Group.

London, 8 June 2012 – Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has welcomed the peaceful democratic transition in the Kingdom of Lesotho and congratulated Prime Minister Motsoahae Tom Thabane on assuming the leadership of the country, following the 26 May 2012 Parliamentary elections.

"Developing and strengthening democratic institutions and processes is a cornerstone of the Commonwealth’s work"– Masire-Mwamba

Government of Maldives and former President Nasheed reach agreement on the nominee to the country’s Commission of National Inquiry

Departure Statement

We have noted the comments attributed in the media on 30 May 2012 to the Press Secretary of the President of Maldives regarding the nominee of former President Nasheed to the Commission of National Inquiry.

Kamalesh Sharma's statement

Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group, former Malawi President Dr Bakili Muluzi, issues interim statement

“A peaceful Election Day in the evolving electoral system of Lesotho – a maturing democracy.”

The attention of the Commonwealth Secretariat has been drawn to a report dated 25 May 2012, originally published by PR Newswire and since carried by other media outlets, both in Maldives locally and internationally.

As the people of Lesotho go to the polls on Saturday 26 May 2012, I would like, on behalf of the Commonwealth Observer Group which I am leading, to call upon all stakeholders in the electoral process to play their roles with due diligence to ensure that the process on polling day, the counting, the announcement of results and events thereafter go smoothly without incident.

Responding to events this week in Papua New Guinea, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma today strongly reiterated his call for respect of the rule of law in that country.  He urged all parties to exercise restraint in their actions and to ensure a peaceful and constructive resolution to the present situation through democratic and lawful processes.

Arrival Statement

Commonwealth observers for the 26 May 2012 elections in Lesotho have called on all stakeholders in the process to act responsibly and shun violence in the lead up to, during and after the polls.

Commission of National Inquiry Strengthened

Anti-corruption agencies from all 19 Commonwealth African countries will share strategies and innovative solutions in tackling corruption at a conference in Livingstone, Zambia, from 21 to 25 May.

Departure Statement by Sir Donald McKinnon, Commonwealth Special Envoy to Maldives

Former Malawian President Bakili Muluzi to lead Commonwealth Observer Group

Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma announced today that former Malawian President Dr Bakili Muluzi will lead the Commonwealth Observer Group to the Lesotho Parliamentary Elections, to be held on 26 May 2012.

Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, former Ghana President Jerry Rawlings and National Assembly Speakers from Rwanda and Uganda among speakers on strengthening democratic culture in 54-member Commonwealth

Statement by the Commonwealth Secretariat Spokesperson

"Two large, seriously committed organisations that champion the voices and concerns of the marginalised and vulnerable have a crucial contribution to make" - Commonwealth Secretary-General