Focus 15 The legal framework of the association of security forces with election management The framework in which the involvement of security forces will be operated in the running of elections includes not only the rules (legislation) but also the organizations(committees and others) established in practice for the resolution of security problems. In order to offer the best suggestions at this level, it is important to distinguish two types of security problems: there are actions of direct violence on persons or property, and actions of the type that can provoke violence responses from a political camp. 1. Actions of direct violence: with regard to these actions, the law must be very clear about: The persons responsible for ensuring security in each possible situation(for example, in a voting centre, during an electoral campaign rally); The manner to resort to security forces and which procedures to follow; The positions of security forces mobilized for the events; The framework in which the involvement of security forces in the running of elections must be organized; The provision of adequate means for the participation of security forces; The various prohibitions which could trigger or justify the resort to security forces(e.g. prohibition to carry arms at polling stations); 202