Electoral integrity requires
an atmosphere free of fear, intimidation or manipulation on election day. Security
during the election process is critical, especially during voting, vote
counting and transmission of the results. A peaceful election environment
facilitates a free, fair and credible election, and tranquil conditions in and
around voting sites lessens problems that could compromise voter confidence, integrity
of records, turnout or election results.
Voters must be able to vote
without fear and monitors must be able to observe without intimidation.
Candidates must be able to campaign without the fear that their supporters will
be harmed or even killed. To ensure integrity, electoral administrators need to
be able to plan and conduct elections without interference, and election
materials must be safeguarded from tampering that would change the election outcome.
Maintaining physical security
for elections is the responsibility of the government, which usually assigns this
task to the civilian police force. Security measures vary by country and
circumstances. For integrity purposes, law enforcement related to elections must
be neutral and impartial, also ensuring a fair trial for suspected offenders.
Good
Security Planning
Adequate security requires
good planning. This first step involves identifying vulnerable stages in the
electoral process and the physical sites that need protection. The next steps
include developing protective measures and implementing a security plan.
A security plan may be
enhanced by good coordination between the election management body and law enforcement
agencies. A joint security plan might be developed and a coordination mechanism
established to facilitate information sharing and decision making at the
national, regional and local levels of all institutions.
Neutrality
of Security Officers
Good election security relies
on the neutrality and professionalism of enforcement officers. They must
respect the law and citizens’ constitutional and civil rights, and not become co-opted
by the campaign or agenda of any political party or candidate. Security
officers must refrain from using excessive force or violence.
In some systems, especially in
post-conflict societies, security problems may arise from police misconduct.
This may give rise to an atmosphere of insecurity, adversely influencing or
even disrupting the election.
Protection
of Polling Sites
Adequate physical security for
electoral sites and the election officers working there creates an environment
in which the process can be administered in a neutral and unobstructed manner. Disturbance
or theft of electoral supplies and equipment could undermine the integrity of
the process. Site security may be enhanced by requiring officials and staff as
well as other people accredited to enter to wear identification badges, if
possible incorporating photographs. Accredited observers and monitors should
also wear badges indicating that they are allowed to enter electoral facilities
during sensitive stages of the election process.
Order needs to be maintained
at polling stations on election day. In some countries, this is a mainly a job
for the police. But indirect measures
may also be taken, such as closing bars and liquor stores during as well as
immediately before and after voting hours. In the Philippines,
it is actually illegal to serve, sell, buy or consume alcoholic beverages on
election day.
Firearms are prohibited within
a certain distance of polling stations in most countries. Some systems
designate a person responsible for security at each polling site. The voting
committee chair arranges controls for access to the facility, implemented by a
member of the committee or a security officer, who allows a limited number of
voters into the polling station at one time and helps keep the voters’ queue orderly.
Protection
of Electoral Materials
To safeguard electoral
integrity, ballots, tally sheets and other sensitive electoral materials must
be protected from destruction or tampering. Ballot tracking is facilitated in
most systems by the use of stubs numbered in sequence. The way ballots are
packed may also assist security. If ballots are in separate tamper-proof or
tamper-evident packages, the right amount can be distributed to each polling
station without any need to open and reseal the packages. Storage and
distribution are also facilitated if the ballot packages for each electoral
district are placed in sealed containers, with serial numbers and polling site
locations marked on the outside. This also minimizes opportunities for
mishandling or misdelivery.
The polling site itself needs
to be secure enough to protect election materials and ballot boxes. Sometimes
losing candidates try to steal or destroy ballot boxes after the polls have
closed to invalidate the results. Sometimes ballot boxes are stuffed or switched
after voting ends. These tactics can be detected with the use of seals on ballot
boxes, and with continuous monitoring by political party representatives and
observers.
Protection
of Candidates, Voters and Monitors
Candidates may be targets for
violent acts. Police and other law enforcement agencies may provide candidate
protection. Campaign rallies, debates and
other public events that attract large numbers of people interested in the
campaign are also in need of security.
Voters need to be able to
leave their homes and vote without fear of violence in the streets or intimidation
at the polling station. Turnout will be lower if voters must pass unruly or threatening
partisan groups in order to cast their ballot.
Monitors also require sufficient
protection to allowing them to observe the process safely, ask questions and if
applicable sign tally sheets without intimidation or fear of retribution. In
countries in transition, domestic observers may feel vulnerable to intimidation
and violence, especially if they observe problems caused by the ruling party or
security forces.
