Focus on Elections and Security
The views expressed in this article are solely the personal views of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the position of the United Nations or imply the Organization's endorsement
Introduction
An election is a contest for legitimate power that can be described as a non-violent competition, fought within a political forum. It is important in this context to recognise that elections do not avoid confrontation, but rather, focus on its management and containment within accepted boundaries. 
In practice, the assurance of equitable security during an electoral process is essential to retaining the participants’ confidence and commitment to an election. Consequently, security is both integral to the goal of an election and an inseparable part of the electoral process.
There is no single model of elections or democracy that is universally applicable to all countries. An election is unique – defined not only by the electoral rules, but also shaped by the social values, politics, religions, history and culture of the people. In the same way, the security of an election is unique to the circumstances in which it is conducted. The stakes of any given election are different – even if it is held periodically in the same country – due to the changing forces that shape the national interest and corresponding political agenda.
Similar to a sporting event, the rivalry between opposing teams entails competition within an accepted set of rules, but does not allow for the use of violence to seek victory. Extending on this comparison, if violence does occur, it can lead to the disqualification of players (candidates), teams (political parties), an amendment of the results or the abandonment of the competition altogether.
As such, the emergence of electoral violence is not a result of the process being followed, but signals a critical departure from the accepted rules that govern the process.
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Security Responsibilities and Planning
