Source: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and Citizens’ Observer Group (COG)
18 September 2026, 11:00 AM
Suva Business Centre, 217 Victoria Parade
Seven civil society organisations in Fiji signed a Memorandum of Understanding today establishing the Citizens’ Observer Group (COG), a national coalition that will support credible, professional and non-partisan domestic election observation in Fiji. The initiative seeks to strengthen electoral transparency, citizen participation and public confidence.
The founding members of COG are:
- Caritas Fiji
- Centre for Democracy and Dialogue (CDD), formerly Dialogue Fiji
- femLINKpacific (femLINK)
- Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM)
- Pacific Centre for Peacebuilding (PCP)
- Social Economic Empowerment Programme (SEEP)
- Transparency International Fiji
The establishment of COG marks a significant step towards a coordinated, nationally owned and non-partisan framework for domestic election observation, bringing together organisations with diverse expertise, constituencies and community networks to support citizen participation and electoral transparency throughout the electoral cycle.
The initiative responds to a formal request from the Government of Fiji to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for support in organising and preparing local election observers for Fiji’s future General Elections. International IDEA welcomes the request as a reflection of the strong partnership between Fiji and International IDEA under the Host Country Agreement, and of Fiji’s commitment to democratic governance, electoral integrity and citizen participation.
Domestic election observation enables trained citizens and civil society organisations to assess electoral processes independently, impartially and on the basis of evidence, promoting transparency and citizen engagement while respecting the legal mandates of electoral institutions.
As an intergovernmental organisation, International IDEA does not undertake election observation. Instead, its role is to provide technical assistance, capacity building and comparative international experience, while COG will independently determine its governance, activities, findings and public reporting.
Following the signing of the MoU, COG members will begin developing governance arrangements, observer standards, training programmes, observation methodologies and operational procedures for future domestic election observation activities. International IDEA will support this process through technical assistance, capacity building and comparative international experience, drawing on lessons from other regions, including Mozambique, where it supported civil society partners with observer training, methodology development and coordination support. The coalition will promote professionalism, impartiality, integrity and inclusion across its work.
The establishment of COG is an important step towards a sustainable domestic election observation mechanism for Fiji. Engagement with development partners and other stakeholders will be key to building capacity, supporting observer training and strengthening confidence in Fiji’s electoral processes.
Quote from International IDEA
Leena Rikkilä Tamang, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, International IDEA, said:
“The signing of this MoU marks an important milestone in a longer-term process of building credible and sustainable domestic election observation capacity in Fiji. This effort will require collaboration among civil society organisations, government institutions and development partners, and International IDEA looks forward to contributing its technical expertise.”
Quote from the Citizens’ Observer Group
Florence Swamy, Executive Director, Pacific Center for Peacebuilding, speaking on behalf of the Citizens’ Observer Group (COG), said:
“COG brings together organisations with different expertise and community connections but a common commitment to credible, peaceful and inclusive electoral processes. Through collaboration, training and shared standards, we aim to contribute positively to public confidence in Fiji’s democracy.”
About the Citizens’ Observer Group (COG)
The Citizens’ Observer Group (COG) is a coalition of seven civil society organisations promoting credible, inclusive and non-partisan domestic election observation through professional observation, evidence-based reporting and constructive engagement.
About International IDEA
International IDEA is an intergovernmental organisation that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. In the Pacific, International IDEA works with governments, electoral management bodies, parliaments, political parties and civil society organisations to strengthen democratic institutions, improve electoral processes and promote inclusive political participation.
Event Details
Event: Signing of the Citizens’ Observer Group (COG) Memorandum of Understanding
Hosted by: International IDEA and the Citizens’ Observer Group (COG)