(f) to take steps to ensure that there are secure conditions necessary for the conduct of any election In accordance with this act or any other law.’
In addition, Section 20 (1) of the Presidential Elections Act, No. 17 of 2000 provides that the Commission shall ensure that the relevant organs of the state provide during the• entire period of campaign, protection of each candidate and adequate security at all meetings of candidates.
The Commission is aware of its operational limitation in enforcing the powers under the above mentioned provisions of the law and had therefore, entrusted the keeping of security during these elections to the Police. The Commission has pointed out to the Police that in case there was need for reinforcing the security deployment then it would be the Police to seek assistance from other security organs so as to ensure smooth running and conclusion of the entire electoral process.
We also expect that the deployment of PPU is made where the President is expected to be as this is a facility that Your Excellency is entitled to as the incumbent. We have also issued press statements instructing public Institutions including RDCs and DISO to treat all candidates equally as is provided for in the Presidential Act 2000 and we expect them to abide by those instructions.
The Commission therefore, would like to request you as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to instruct armed personnel not to do anything that would be Interpreted as interference in the electoral process contrary to law and thus jeopardise the democratisation principles that our country has embarked on since the Government of NRM came into power.
