3 Composition 3.1 COGs are independent, including of the Secretariat. Members of a COG are invited by the Secretary-General to be a part of the team and each member is invited in their personal capacity as an eminent Commonwealth citizen, not as a representative of any member country, government or political group. COGs are usually led by a senior political figure, often a former Head of State or former Head of Government, referred to as the Chair. In addition to the Chair, typically a COG will include current or former members of parliament, election officials, representatives of civil society, media, gender specialists, youth representatives and former members of the judiciary. 3.2 The size of a team will vary, depending largely on the size of the member country being observed. Team members are drawn from any Commonwealth member country except from the one being observed. To the extent possible, the team should reflect a broad range of regions of the Commonwealth and the diversity of member countries. COGs should be gender balanced. Gender balance should also be taken into account when selecting a Chair. 3.3 COGs are supported by a staff team from the Secretariat. The staff team will support the COG in all its activities and will also assist the COG with Commonwealth methodology and best international practice for election observation. 4 Terms of Reference 4.1 The role of a COG is to offer an independent, informed and impartial analysis of the electoral process, taking account of all factors which may impinge on the overall credibility of an election. The standard Terms of Reference are attached as Annex 1. A COG has no executive role and will not interfere in the electoral process. Commonwealth observers are required to abide by a code of conduct, in line with best international practice. 4.2 In conducting its analysis and in making their overall assessment, a COG will take account of, among other things: the inclusivity of voter registration; freedom of candidate nominations; freedom of the campaign; balance and tone of media coverage; participation rights for women, youth, minorities and persons with disability; neutrality of officials; integrity of voting and procedures; right of voters to cast a secret ballot; absence of violence and intimidation; integrity of the vote count; and results tabulation. 4.3 The COG is required to issue a public statement of preliminary findings and conclusions, as well as a Final Report, including recommendations. The COG may take into consideration issues raised by stakeholders in response to the preliminary statement, in its Final Report. 2