The Question

This question is posted by ACE on behalf of an anonymous user.

In environments faced with civil and political conflicts, special rules or bans have been enacted that apply to the public in the lead up to Election Day. 

For instance, in the lead up to the October 12th general election in Bolivia, media reports suggest that the country's Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) may enact several public bans, including one on the sale of alcohol between the 9th and the 13th of October, and on carrying dangerous objects (e.g. firearms, knives).  Furthermore, police officers may be deployed to enforce these restrictions in the period surrounding Election Day.

The question, therefore, is in three parts:

1 What kind of bans have other countries enacted around Election Day to deter violence?

2 How have they been enforced?

3 What are the legal frameworks governing the issuing of special rules or bans in the lead up to Election Day?

Finally, we encourage members to weigh in on the overall effectiveness of public restrictions and bans in deterring election violence.

Summary of Responses

Practitioners' Network members answered the question by providing a range of examples of special rules and bans on Election Day. Members also shared different legal codes governing these regulations. These are all grouped below:

• Mexico:  Prohibition of selling or buying alcoholic beverages is enforced on Election Day, and the day before. Inebriate people are not allowed to cast their votes. The INE (National Electoral Institute) asks for support from the police and the military to enforce these rules. 
• Kosovo and Afghanistan: There are ‘cooling off’ periods in which freedom of speech is restricted to prevent violence. See UNMIK REGULATION NO. 2004/12, ON ELECTIONS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF KOSOVO, and Afghan Election Law 2014, Article 50.
• Thailand and the States of Massachusetts and Alaska: Alcohol bans. See ‘General Laws, PART I, TITLE XX, CHAPTER 138’ (Massachusetts) and ‘Alaska Stat. § 04.16.070. : Alaska Statutes - Section 04.16.070.: Sales on election day’.
• India: See Election Commission of India, Compendium of Instructions, Model Code of Conduct, Vol. 3: http://ceodelhi.gov.in/WriteReadData/Compendium/compendium_V3.pdf
• Nigeria: Ban on movement of vehicles, except those connected with election authorities.
• Belize: Ban on taking photos with mobile phones in polling stations.
• Republic of South Sudan: No legal framework yet regarding these matters.
• Senegal: Ban of weapons in election offices (article 75 of the Law on Elections). There is a prison sentence for violence on Election Day. There is also a prohibition for selling or buying gasoline in cans or plastic containers from the beginning of the electoral campaign and until results are proclaimed. No specific provision regarding alcohol.
• Colombia: Elaboration of an election calendar to fix the restrictions and norms. This is an example of 2015 local elections: http://aceproject.org/electoral-advice/ace-workspace/questions/open-questions/442697571/998365951/calendario-electoral-2015.pdf

• Argentina: See art. 4 of the Law 25.610 (B.O. 8/7/02). Prohibitions include the following and its enforcement depends on the State security forces:

1. Restrictions on the Right of assembly and/or keeping arsenal within a diameter of 80 meters from every voting stations. 
2. Restrictions on popular shows or public meetings until three hours after the end of the electoral process.
3. Restrictions on selling alcohol until three hours after the end of the electoral process..
4. Restrictions on the bearing of weapons or of political symbols from 12 hours before the election until three hours after the election.
5. Restrictions on  acts of proselytism and/or publishing election surveys from 48 hours before the election until three hours after the end of the election.
6. The offices of political parties cannot exist within a diameter of 80 meters from polling stations. Voting stations cannot be installed within a diameter of 80 meters from every main political party headquarters.

• Cameroon: There are no specific measures established by the electoral law, but traditionally there have been bans regarding transport restrictions on the Election Day and closing of all drinking and business premises since the night before the Election Day. Also the bearing of weapons near voting stations on the Election Day.
• New Zealand: There are no specific restrictions on alcohol, weapons, etc. There are restrictions on political campaigning on the Election Day. See 1993 Electoral Act: http://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0087/latest/DLM310065.html.%C2%A0

Members also pointed out that measures should be context specific. It was also noted that a single measure have very different effects across different countries, and even across different regions in one country.

 

Contributing Members:

• Martín Soto
• Sean H Gralton
• Sead Alihodzic
• Carl Dundas
• Nestor Vargas
• Jersa Kide Barsaba
• Ababacar Fall
• Idi Boina
• Francisco Barrera
• Alejandro Tullio
• Atem Oben Henry Ekpeni
• Robert Marsh

En México, tanto el Instituto Nacional Electoral, como los organismos de elecciones locales, solicitan apoyo a las corporaciones policiacas y el ejército para garantizar la seguridad de los electores y del resguardo de las urnas y de la papelería electoral

Several countries with which I am familiar have instituted "cooling off" periods with the intent of limiting violence through limiting speech.  Such limitations raise real concerns about government control of speech, but have been justified on the grounds of security concerns. 

As an example, here is text from Kosovo's 2004 election, from UNMIK REGULATION NO. 2004/12, ON ELECTIONS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF KOSOVO:

Section 48 

Prohibitions on Media Coverage

No person shall report on or otherwise publicize in the print, broadcast or electronic media:

(a) any political campaign activity during the period commencing twentyfour (24) hours immediately prior to the opening of the polling stations until the official close of the polling stations; or

(b) the results of public opinion research surveys, or researches of a similar kind, related to voting and elections during the period commencing seventy-two (72) hours immediately prior to the opening of polling stations until the official close of the polling stations.

Section 49

Violations 

The Central Election Commission shall, if a radio or television broadcaster fails to comply with the provisions of the present Regulation, immediately notify the relevant media licensing authority. 

 

Afghanistan has a similar ban, Election Law 2014, Article 50:

(3) The mass media are obliged to stop publishing and broadcasting of the electoral campaign related activities 48 hours before the start of the Election Day.

 

 

In the US, only two states currently ban alcohol sales in connection with elections, but both states also allow local governments to opt out:

Massachusetts, General Laws, PART I, TITLE XX, CHAPTER 138:

Section 33. (a) No licensee under section 15 shall sell or deliver alcoholic beverages, and no registered pharmacist acting under section 29 and no licensee under section 30A shall sell alcoholic beverages or alcohol without a physician’s prescription, during polling hours on any day on which a state or municipal election, caucus or primary is held in a city or town in which such licensed place is conducted; provided that these restrictions shall not apply if the local licensing authority issues an order to that effect applicable alike to all licensees of every class subject to such restrictions....

Alaska, Alaska Stat. § 04.16.070. : Alaska Statutes - Section 04.16.070.: Sales on election day:

(a) A person may not sell, barter, give, consume, or dispose of alcoholic beverages within licensed premises

(1) in the state on a day on which a statewide special, primary, or general election is held for the purpose of voting for a candidate for public office, until the polls have closed;

(2) in a municipality on a day on which a local option election or an election is held for the purpose of voting for a candidate for public office, until the polls are closed.

(b) The governing body of a municipality may provide by ordinance that the provisions of this section do not apply in a municipality.

 

My understanding is that both states have the normal alcohol control enforcement procedures apply in these cases.

With respect to three questions, Election Commission of India is a very good reference point. Check ECI's website. See in particular Election Commission of India, Compendium of Instructions, Model Code of Conduct, Vol. 3

http://ceodelhi.gov.in/WriteReadData/Compendium/compendium_V3.pdf

On your second point, and in my view, judging the ‘overall effectiveness of public restrictions and bans in deterring election violence’ is difficult and may be deceiving. The same type of restriction/ban may cause opposite effects when applied in two different countries. Moreover, even when applied in the same country, effects may differ from one region to another, or from election to election. Therefore, any decision/measure aimed to deter electoral violence should be context specific and well informed.

 

 

 

Indeed, restrictions may be a way to deter electoral violence, but many much more can be done for example, see: http://www.idea.int/elections/ermtool/

Many of the 'bans' mentioned above on Election Day, such as alcohol and prohibited weapons, are common in most emerging democracies, but a few go further and like, Nigeria, ban movement of vehicles, except those connected with election authorities, on Election Day; others like, Belize, ban taking of photos with mobile phone in polling stations. Alcohol and prohibited weapons' bans are usually enforced by police and security authorities, these activities are offences covered by election regulations and often by criminal law. Vehicle movement ban is usually breached, but for the most part is observed. It is not clear to what extent use of mobile for photos (and text messages) in polling stations is enforced. 

1. En México, un día previo a la jornada electoral y el mismo día de la Jornada se establece la denominada "Ley Seca" que consiste en la prohibición de la venta de bebidas embriagantes. 2. El día de la jornada electoral se impide el acceso a las Mesas Directivas de Casilla para ejercer su derecho al sufragio a personas en estado de ebriedad o que se peciba han consumido alguna droga. 3. Respecto a la violencia, se establecen diversas medidas: A) La entrega de documentación electoral 1 mes antes de La jornada electoral a las sedes distritales es custodiada por la policía o por ejército. Una vez que está dicha documentación electoral en las bodegas, la policía o el ejército permanece afuera de la sede distrital resguardando la integridad de la documentación. B) El día de La jornada tanto la policía como el ejército se encuentran dando rondines en todo el ámbito geográfico en donde se realizan elecciones. Los policías y el ejército son acuartelados para que vigilen los perímetros, particularmente en donde se ha reportado "zonas rojas", o sea, zonas de riesgo de violencia o de inseguridad. C) se impide acceso a la Mesa Directiva de Casilla a personas que lleven alguna arma, con excepción de las personas que por su cargo pueden llevarlas y están en servicio. (policías o ejército). D) Previo a la Jornada, los funcionario electorales reportan a las instancias correspondientes aquellas casillas o zonas geográficas en donde consideran que existe la posibilidad de un riesgo de violencia o que tienen altos grados de inseguridad, para que los guardias del orden pongan especial atención. 4. Todo lo comentado se encuentra regulado en la legislación electoral correspondiente, tanto en el ámbito federal como en el local.

The Republic of South Sudan is an emerging democracy and its environment is faced with civil and political conflict but special rules or bans have not been enacted that apply to the public in the lead up to election day.  It is necessary for this country to enact such laws specially on ban of alcohol in the lead up to election day.

Au Sénégal, la loi électorale en son article L.75 du code électoral dispose que "L'entrée dans le bureau de vote est interdite à toute personne porteuse d'une arme, sauf en cas de réquisition de la force publique par le président". Au titre des sanctions pénales, l'article L.92 du même  code stipule que "Quiconque est rentré dans une assemblée électorale avec une arme apparente sera passible d'une amende de 100.000 à 1.000.000 FCFA.

La peine sera d'un emprisonnement de trois (03) à six (06) mois et d'une amende de 100.000 à 1.000.000 FCFA si l'arme est cachée."

Quiconque, par attroupement, clameurs ou démonstrations menaçantes, aura troublé les opérations d'un corps ou collège électoral, porté atteinte à l'exercice du droit électoral ou à la liberté de vote, sera puni d'un emprisonnement de six mois à deux ans et de l'interdiction du droit de voter et d’être éligible pendant cinq ans au moins ou dix ans au plus.(Article L.94)

Toute irruption dans un bureau de vote avec violence, en vue d’empêcher un choix, sera punie d'un emprisonnement  d'un à cinq ans et d'une amende de 300.000 à 600.000 FCFA. (Article L.95

Si les coupables sont porteurs d'armes, ou si le scrutin a été violé, la peine sera l'emprisonnement de cinq à dix ans. (Article L.96)

Ceux ci ne constituent que quelques exemples, d'autres articles de notre législation électorale condamnent l'utilisation de la violence le jour du scrutin que ça soit dans le bureau de vote, aux abords immédiats ou que cette violence soit exercée contre un électeur.

Par ailleurs, avant l'ouverture de la campagne électorale et jusqu’après la proclamation des résultats, un arrêté   du Ministre de l'Intérieur interdit la vente d'essence dans des bidons ou récipients en plastique.

Par contre, concernant la vente d'alcool, aucune disposition particulière n'en régit l'interdiction le jour du scrutin.

Les mouvements de véhicule sont réglementés le jour du scrutin ; aucun véhicule ne peut circuler d'un département à un autre de 6h à 18 h, ceci afin d’empêcher les transferts d'électeurs que certains peuvent tenter de faire.

Dans la pratique, il est très difficile de veiller à l'application de ces interdictions, car les délinquants ou ceux qui s'adonnent à la fraude électorale trouvent souvent des subterfuges pour contourner les dispositions de la loi.

ABABACAR FALL

EXPERT ÉLECTORAL

DAKAR (Sénégal)

 

Le jour du scrutin et pendant les opérations Liées Ë celui-ci, il EST Interdit SELON l'article 117 de la Loi électorale de l'Union des Comores:

-           D'introduire des armes de journey nature qu'elle   Soit sur ​​les Lieux de vote, SAUF réquisition spéciale du Président du bureau de vote par la loi DANS de Le Cadre des dispositions.

-           D'introduire des Boissons yrs Dans Les Lieux de vote

-           De manifesteur, de journey Manière Que CE Soit, sa Préférence versez de l'ONU de candidat A l'intérieur des Lieux Destinées aux opérations de Votre ous d'Afficher des signes partisans.

-           De s'introduire DANS L'isoloir Avec Tout Type d'APPAREIL électronique.

D'Autre Part La Veille du scrutin le Ministre de l'Intérieur, Prenne non arrêté interdisant la circulation des vehicle nos authorized au de la de minuit.

 

-           Le jour des scrutins juin interdiction Totale, de la circulation des véhicules NSA autorisés par LA CENI.

La organizacion electoral de Colombia,  elabora un calendario electoral en el cual resume, las restricciones, periodos criticos electorales, con las correspondientes normas, en estas puede ahondar en los temas de otras restricciones, le adjunto el calendario para elecciones del año 2015 (elecciones locales), pero casi que son iguales en todos los años.

En la Republica Argentina, en ocasión de las elecciones a cargos federales el Código Electoral Nacional establece las siguientes prohibiciones:

"Artículo 71. - Prohibiciones. Queda prohibido: (Título sustituido por art. 4 de la Ley N°25.610 B.O. 8/7/2002)

a) Admitir reuniones de electores o depósito de armas durante las horas de la elección a toda persona que en los centros urbanos habite una casa situada dentro de un radio de ochenta metros (80 m) alrededor de la mesa receptora. Si la finca fuese tomada a viva fuerza deberá darse aviso inmediato a la autoridad policial; 

b) Los espectáculos populares al aire libre o en recintos cerrados, fiestas teatrales, deportivas y toda clase de reuniones públicas que no se refieran al acto electoral, durante su desarrollo y hasta pasadas tres horas de ser clausurado; 

c) Tener abiertas las casas destinadas al expendio de cualquier clase de bebidas alcohólicas hasta transcurridas tres horas del cierre del comicio; 

d) Ofrecer o entregar a los electores boletas de sufragio dentro de un radio de ochenta metros (80 m.) de las mesas receptoras de votos, contados sobre la calzada, calle o camino; 

e) A los electores, la portación de armas, el uso de banderas, divisas u otros distintivos durante el día de la elección, doce horas antes y tres horas después de finalizada; 

f) Realizar actos públicos de proselitismo y publicar y difundir encuestas y sondeos preelectorales, desde cuarenta y ocho horas antes de la iniciación del comicio y hasta el cierre del mismo. (Inciso sustituido por art. 4 de la Ley N°25.610 B.O. 8/7/2002)

g) La apertura de organismos partidarios dentro de un radio de ochenta metros (80 m.) del lugar en que se instalen mesas receptoras de votos. La Junta Electoral Nacional o cualquiera de sus miembros podrá disponer el cierre transitorio de los locales que estuvieren en infracción a lo dispuesto precedentemente. No se instalarán mesas receptoras a menos de ochenta metros (80 m.) de la sede en que se encuentre el domicilio legal de los partidos nacionales o de distrito.

h) Publicar o difundir encuestas y proyecciones sobre el resultado de la elección durante la realización del comicio y hasta tres horas después de su cierre. (Inciso incorporado por art. 4 de la Ley N°25.610 B.O. 8/7/2002)"

In Cameroon the law provides the government to take measure to ensure electoral security before, during and after the polls including proclamation of results. This law does not specify the kind of measures to be taken but for decades state officials use this part of the law to enact bans such as transport restrictions on E-Day and closure of all drinking and or business premises early on the night leading to E-Day.

The law specifically provides for penal sanctions to any one found in and around a polling station / center on E-Day in possession of any equipment considered to be a weapon.

The effectiveness of these bans vary from region to region based on the history of electoral security and the nature / context of the election in question. 

New Zealand has restrictions related to campaigning on Election Day: http://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0087/latest/DLM310065.html. 

There are no special restrictions on alcohol, weapons, etc., however it should be noted that it is a criminal offense to carry "offensive weapons" in public places at any time "without reasonable excuse" (in contrast to the "right to bear arms" in the USA).