Source: Social Empowerment Education Programme (SEEP)
Suva, Fiji | 17 September 2026
Media representatives are invited to attend the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing the Citizens’ Observer Group (COG), a national coalition of civil society organisations committed to supporting credible, professional and non-partisan domestic election observation in Fiji.
The signing marks an important milestone in strengthening citizen-led democratic participation and electoral transparency, bringing together a diverse group of civil society organisations under a common framework for domestic election observation.
The initiative follows a formal request from the Government of Fiji to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) to support preparations for domestic election observation for Fiji’s future General Elections.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Citizens’ Observer Group (COG)
Date: Friday, 18 September 2026
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Tea and refreshments from 11:00 a.m.; programme commences at approximately 11:30 a.m.
Venue: Suva Business Centre, 217 Victoria Parade, Suva
PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS
- Caritas Fiji
- Centre for Democracy and Dialogue (CDD)
- femLINKpacific
- Fiji Women’s Rights Movement
- Pacific Centre for Peacebuilding
- Social Empowerment Education Programme (SEEP)
- Transparency and Integrity Fiji
PHOTO AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
- Signing of the MoU by participating organisations
- Group photograph of coalition representatives
- Interviews with representatives of participating civil society organisations
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Citizens’ Observer Group (COG) is an independent coalition of civil society organisations in Fiji established to support domestic election observation in Fiji. Domestic election observation enables trained citizens and organisations to independently assess electoral processes based on evidence, contributing to transparency, public confidence and inclusive participation.
International IDEA is an intergovernmental organisation that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. International IDEA does not conduct election observation. Its role is to provide technical assistance, capacity building and comparative international experience, while COG remains fully independent in its governance, activities, findings and public reporting.