Observation Milestones Timeline

The Commonwealth is a pioneer in the field of election observation. Since 1980, it has observed over 160 elections in nearly 40 countries. Through the development of the Guidelines, and as an original signatory and Steering Group member of the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, the Commonwealth has played a key role in both professionalising the practice of observing elections and adapting methodologies in response to evolving challenges. For our Overview timeline and and other themed timelines, go to: thecommonwealth.org/electoral-support

DATE CATEGORY EVENT DESCRIPTION 1980 Commonwealth Southern Rhodesia First Secretariat co-ordinated Election Milestones Pre-Independence Commonwealth group deployed for an Elections. First COG* election. in . 1990 Commonwealth Malaysia General First election observed following the 1989 Election Milestones Elections. First COG mandate from Kuala Lumpur. Chaired in Asia. by Dudley Thompson (), former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. 1991 Commonwealth Guidelines for the Heads adopted the first set of Guidelines Establishment of Commonwealth Election Observation Commonwealth Guidelines at their meeting in Harare. Groups to Observe Elections in Member Countries adopted 1992 Commonwealth Guyana General Chaired by Mr David R Peterson QC Election Milestones and Regional (Canada). Elections. First COG in Americas and .

* Commonwealth Observer Group D17109 2020 2018 2011 2006 2005 2004 2002 1998 1997 1994 1994 DATE CATEGORY Guidelines Commonwealth Election Milestones Commonwealth Guidelines Commonwealth Guidelines Commonwealth Election Milestones Commonwealth Election Milestones Commonwealth Election Milestones Commonwealth Election Milestones Commonwealth Election Milestones Commonwealth Election Milestones Commonwealth Election Milestones Commonwealth EVENT Marlborough House Meeting at Implementation of Principles Declaration hosts first Commonwealth agreed. Election Observers for International Code ofConduct Observation and Election International Principles for Declaration of mission inthePacific. Elections. First joint Vanuatu National observed Over 50elections COG inAfrica. Elections. First joint National Assembly Presidential and Seychelles joint First COG inPacific. General Election. Papua New Guinea Msosa ofMalawi Justice Mrs Anatasia First FemaleChair: Apartheid Elections South AfricaPost- observed Over 160elections adopted Member Countries Observation in Conduct ofElection Guidelines for the Commonwealth Revised observed Over 100elections DESCRIPTION The CarterCenter. National Democratic Institute (NDI)and Nations Electoral AssistanceDivision,the Commonwealth Secretariat, theUnited The meetingwas jointly organised bythe Principles andCode ofConduct. organisations oftheDeclaration of contributors to and originalendorsing The Commonwealth was oneofthe a jointmission. with thePacificIslandForum to undertake The Commonwealth Secretariat partnered Across 30Commonwealth countries. former PrimeMinisterofSt Lucia. Chaired byThe RtHonJohnCompton Representatives. Zealand), former Speaker oftheHouse Chaired byThe HonSirRobin Gray (New Elections, . Presidential andNationalAssembly Justice Msosachaired theCOG to the election. to address levelsofviolencepriorto the followed onfrom athree-phase mission 30 Commonwealth countries. The COG mission, involving60observers from over largest Commonwealth electoral observer Jamaica MichaelManley thiswas the Chaired byformer PrimeMinisterof Across 40Commonwealth countries. Commonwealth observermissions. the ongoingintegrity, valueandimpact of Principles, therevised Guidelinesensure Building onthe2005Declaration of Across 35Commonwealth countries.

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