WPRAG to Discuss the Policy on the Duties of Police in Elections

The advocacy group convened a session on June 25th to discuss the Policy on the Duties of Police in Elections drafted by the Ministry of Interior Affairs. The policy describes the responsibility of each department of MoI during elections. However, the duties are vaguely explained and while the policy touches upon elections to some extent, it is not focused much on women’s participation in elections. Therefore, after having the policy thoroughly studied, the members of the group developed the following recommendations: 1. A minimum of one female police at female sites during the entire process (voter registration, voting and vote counting); 2. Ensure security for all electoral staff especially women; 3. Ensure security for female civic educators in provinces, districts and villages; 4. Ensure security for all the candidates (male & female) equally; 5. Facilitate female candidates’ accessibility to the most credible and experienced bodyguards; 6. Maintain full security not only in the cities but also in districts and villages; 7. Assign punishment for police working for specific candidates; 8. District security commanders who have close relationship with the district’s candidate must be shifted temporarily to another district; 9. National police to control all electoral sites and local police given limited competency at the electoral sites 10. Conduct training programs for MoI staff on the “Policy on Duties of Police in Elections”. It was decided that FEFA will evaluate the recommendations based on the rules and regulations and in compatibility with the laws and mandates of the MoI. FEFA will then draft a proposal containing these recommendations and set a meeting with the Policy Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs. The group also decided to review through a gender lens the electoral policies, if exist, of the ministries of Education, Higher Education, Culture and Information, Pilgrimage and Endowment, Rural Rehabilitation and Development and the Independent Elections Commission and propose similar recommendations to help enhance women’s role in elections.