Latest content: Promoting Democracy

Arrival Statement

Commonwealth Spokesperson Richard Uku said today that the Commonwealth continues to monitor closely developments in Fiji, including those in relation to the registration of political parties and the development of a new constitution.

London, 20 February 2013 ‒ Former Botswana President Festus Mogae will lead a Commonwealth Observer Group to Kenya’s general elections scheduled for 4 March.

Some recent media reports have referred to a submission by the Coalition for the Defence of Democratic Rights in Zambia to the Commonwealth Secretary-General. Such a submission has indeed been received.

London, 15 February 2013 - Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has expressed his appreciation for the constructive discussion he had by telephone today with the President of Maldives, HE Dr Mohamed Waheed, regarding recent developments in the country.

Elections were credible and met many of the key benchmarks

Elections were conducted in a free, peaceful and transparent manner

Final Report

Final Report

The team will be led by Mr Irfan Abdool Rahman, Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius

London, 24 January 2013 – Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma announced today that his Special Envoy to Maldives, Sir Donald McKinnon, will visit Malé from 25 to 27 January 2013 as part of the Commonwealth’s continuing engagement with the country.

London, 14 January 2013 − Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma today expressed regret about the Government of Fiji’s decision to reject the draft constitution prepared by the Constitutional Commission chaired by Professor Yash Ghai.

London, 13 January 2013 ‒ Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma today expressed deep disappointment at the dismissal of the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka.

London, 11 January 2013 - Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has urged the Sri Lankan Government to pause for further careful consideration following the passage by the country’s Parliament today of the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka.

“The Commonwealth, collectively, is profoundly concerned about this situation" - Kamalesh Sharma

London, 12 December 2012

Interim Statement

“The Commonwealth remains committed to working with the Government of Maldives to strengthen national institutions, to advance the Commonwealth’s values and principles, and to inclusive and credible elections in 2013,” Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, said today.

Commonwealth Observer Group encouraged by recent peace pact by political leaders and civil society and community leaders’ calls for peaceful elections

Arrival Statement

Former Lesotho PM Pakalitha Mosisili to lead observer group

Interim Statement

London, 15 November 2012 — Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma today expressed concern about the recent move by the Parliament of Sri Lanka to impeach the country’s Chief Justice, Dr Shirani Bandaranayake.

The Commonwealth will observe Sierra Leone’s National and Local Government Elections on 17 November 2012.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Maldives, Sir Donald McKinnon, has expressed his deep sadness in learning of the killing of Hon Dr Afrasheem Ali MP, Member of the People's Majlis (Parliament) of Maldives, on 2 October 2012.