The team comprising Syed Sharfuddin, special adviser and head of the Asia-Europe Section, and Julie Broadbent, political affairs officer, Democracy Section, will meet government and opposition officials, civil society, media and other parties concerned to assess whether the presence of a Commonwealth observer group during the elections is broadly supported.

The team will also seek to obtain guarantees that an observer group will have access to all aspects of the electoral process.

The team will thereafter report back to the Secretary General who will on the basis of their recommendations consider whether to constitute a Commonwealth observer group, said a press release.