The role of police in electoral process

25 November 2025, 2:35 pm

Elections are the foundation of democratic governance, and for them to be credible, free, and fair, a secure environment must be maintained before, during, and after the polls. The police play a vital role in safeguarding the electoral process, upholding the rule of law, and promoting constitutional rights.

The roles and responsibilities of the police in the electoral process include:

• Ensuring public safety and order by preventing and responding to unrest, securing public gatherings, rallies, and managing protests.
• Protecting electoral infrastructure, including polling stations, voting centres, electoral materials, ballot boxes, electoral commission offices, transportation routes for ballots, and tallying centres. The visible presence of police acts as a deterrent to criminal and destructive activities.
• Enforcing electoral laws by preventing voter intimidation, vote buying, and illegal campaigning, as well as ensuring compliance with movement restrictions where applicable.
• Conflict mediation and de-escalation during tense elections, responding to disputes at police stations, and intervening in post-election protests.
• Raising public awareness about electoral laws and offences through community outreach and media engagement, helping to reduce fear, misinformation, and election-related tension.
• Protecting candidates and voters, ensuring the safety and freedom of participants, particularly marginalised groups such as women, people with disabilities, political candidates, and their supporters.

A visible police presence reassures the public and encourages voter turnout, which is another critical role in ensuring the success of elections.

By executing these roles and responsibilities effectively, police officers contribute to credible elections and lasting stability.

The writer is the Police Press and Publications Officer.