A Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) will be present during Mozambique's National and Provincial Elections due to be held on 28 October 2009. The COG will be led by former Sierra Leone President HE Dr Ahmad Tejan Kabbah.

The Group was constituted by Commonwealth Secretary-General Mr Kamalesh Sharma at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation of Mozambique, HE Mr Oldemiro Baloi.

"This is an important election and provides the people of Mozambique with an opportunity to consolidate the democratic gains they have made", the Secretary-General said.

The Group's mandate is to observe the preparations for the election; the polling, counting and results process and the overall electoral environment. The Team is to assess the overall conduct of the process and, where appropriate, make recommendations for the future strengthening of the electoral process in Mozambique.

The Group will act impartially and independently and shall conduct itself according to the standards expressed in the International Declaration of Principles for Election Observation to which the Commonwealth is a signatory.

The Group's report will be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, who will in turn send it to the Government of Mozambique, the National Election Commission of Mozambique and political parties, and eventually to all Commonwealth Governments.

The Commonwealth Observer Group will comprise 12 eminent persons, including the Chair. The team will arrive in Mozambique on 21 October 2009 and stay until