Election Security

Security Sector Engagement

Jonas frames the role of security forces in preventing election violence and the principles that should guide their contribution toward ensuring peaceful elections.

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A well-trained, capable and accountable police force is critical to ensure peaceful elections. At times security forces are part of the problem, rather than the solution.

In many countries, police officers are not allowed to enter voting stations, unless the head of the polling station urges them to handle a security incident.

Report: OSCE Guidelines for Public Security Providers in Elections

These guidelines are intended as a reference document for the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to observe and assess the framework for and conduct of public security providers over the course of an election. They may also benefit other organizations engaged in election observation seeking guidance on how to assess these issues. In addition, these guidelines may serve as a reference for the authorities, including those who legislate on electoral security and for public security providers in the context of an election.

Security Coordination in the ECOWAS Region

This video digs deeper into one of these functions, as Gabrielle illustrates how security forces may best coordinate with election management bodies (EMBs) by drawing upon comparative field research in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger, and Nigeria.

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Coordination models where security actors have authority above that of the EMB are not recommended.

Report: USAID Best Practices in Electoral Security

The purpose of this Electoral Security Best Practices Guide (Guide) is to provide USAID’s development professionals, as well as electoral assistance and conflict prevention policy-makers and practitioners, with a global overview of best practices in programming to prevent, manage, or mediate electoral conflict and violence.