"We should be unfaithful to ourselves if we should ever lose sight of the danger to our liberties if anything partial or extraneous should infect the purity of our free, fair, virtuous, and independent elections". – John Adams.
Support for elections and the electoral process figures prominently in the work of the Commonwealth and its agencies. As one of “the fundamental political values of the Commonwealth”, the status of democratic elections is monitored on an ongoing basis by the Commonwealth Secretary General as well as the the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG). Consequently, in some circumstances, the Commonwealth will send teams of official election observers to oversee and report on the conduct of countries’ national elections.
To assist member countries maintain democratic electoral systems, the Commonwealth Secretariat provides practical support such as training and technical assistance, especially in the area of election management and administration. Commonwealth civil society organisations also participate in upholding the principle and practice of democratic elections across the Commonwealth.
Latest News
Lesotho: Former Malawian President Bakili Muluzi to Lead Commonwealth Observers to Lesotho Elections
May 17, 2012Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma announced on 14 May 2012 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.
May 16, 2012
Perry Christie took the oath of office, the Bahamas became the latest country in the region to return the opposition to power. At his swearing-in, Christie said the results of the election were heard “with great thunder and awesome power....My colleagues and I will leave no stone unturned in our common pursuit of a brighter future for all of you,” he said.
60th Anniversary of Indian Parliament
May 15, 2012On May 13, 2012, the Indian Parliament completed 60 years since its first sitting. To mark the occasion, a special sitting of both Houses was organised on the day. Recently, there has been much public scrutiny of the work of MPs and the functioning of Parliament and the changing profile of MPs and the trends in the working of Parliament over the past 60 years.
Economy main election issue - President of Malaysia Soi Lek
May 10, 2012President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek today said that the party’s platform for the coming general election will revolve around economic issues, adding that its candidate list is “ready” “The main issue will be the economy,” he said, when asked what MCA will focus on in the 13th general elections, expected to be called soon.
Weathering the storm, the Commonwealth and Maldives
May 09, 2012The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) in its last meeting on 16 April warned that it will consider “stronger measures” if the terms and reference and composition of the Maldivian National Commission of Inquiry is not “amended within four weeks in a manner that is generally acceptable and enhances its credibility”.
The Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Contact Group in Fiji for democracy meeting
May 03, 2012Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Contact Group (MCG) said the ministers gained a sense that Fiji was a country in transition, moving to put in place processes required for elections, which would take place by September 2014.
