Page 2 - Charmaine Wright News Today

The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) released a statement on its preliminary findings at a press conference in Islamabad, while awaiting the release of complete results from the Electoral Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The observers called for patience and restraint as the results process is finalised.

The polls have opened in Pakistan’s general elections, with the Commonwealth observing every step of the electoral process.

The Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has condemned the recent fatal attacks in Pakistan, in the run-up to the general elections.

The group of eminent experts from across the Commonwealth have arrived in Pakistan and will be present in the country throughout the electoral process. As the country goes to the polls on 8 February 2024, 128 million people have the right to vote in Pakistan.  

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Honourable Patricia Scotland KC, has received an award for championing prosperity across Africa at a ceremony in Accra, Ghana on 26 January 2024.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, will attend the second annual Africa Prosperity Dialogue (APD 2024) in Ghana from 25-27 January 2024. She will join heads of Government from Africa and the Caribbean, other political leaders, senior policymakers, technocrats, civil society representatives, academics and business executives for discussions aimed at accelerating and improving trade between African nations.

A Commonwealth team, led by former Nigerian President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, will be deployed to Pakistan to observe the general elections scheduled for 8 February 2024. At the request of the Election Commission of Pakistan, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a 13-member Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) is due to arrive in Islamabad on 1 February and will remain in the country until the electoral process is completed.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, called on all political and civic leaders in Bangladesh to contribute to a conducive environment for citizens to peacefully exercise their right to vote.  

Blog by Dr Deepa Pullanikkatil, Commonwealth National Climate Finance Adviser for Fiji and Keshav Dash, Commonwealth National Climate Finance Adviser for Tuvalu

Former Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Hon Bruce Golding, will lead a ten-person Commonwealth Expert Team (CET) assigned to observe the Bangladesh general elections, to be held on 7 January 2024. Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, following an invitation from the Bangladesh Election Commission, appointed the cross-functional team of experts.