Security for elections in 2015: UNOCI’s Mauritanian Formed Police Unit and the 3rd gendarmerie legion carry out exercise to maintain order

The forces of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), in support of Ivorian forces want to contribute to security provisions for forthcoming elections in Côte d'Ivoire. In this regard, they jointly organised an exercise in maintaining order with the Mauritainia Formed Police Unit and elements from the 3rd gendarmerie legion, on Friday, 5 June 2015 in Bouake.

Speaking at the event, Division Commissioner and deputy chief of UNOCI Police (UNPOL), Jean Marc Lafon, said the exercise was simulation of incidents which could happen during the electoral period and for which the two forces should be in synergy.

« The Ivorian forces will be on the frontline in providing security for the elections supported by the UN forces. The objective of this initiative is to ensure that we consider all eventualities in order to avoid any incident during the lections in 2015, » Commissiober Lafon explained.

The exercice involved three different security situations. The first showed how the forces should secure the political meetings of two candidates which are being held at the same time in premises close to each other. The second showed security around a polling station and how best to protect it in case of trouble, while the third scenario dealt with re-establishing public order following a clash initiated by supporters of the candidate who lost the election.

Speaking at the end of the simulation exercise, the deputy prefect of Bouaké Central, Djonde Lorgn, expressed his gratitude to UNOCI. «We thank you for your constant support to us. We hope that there will be no violence during our elections, » he added. He concluded by urging politicians to act responsibly. « Our politicians must accept the results of the ballot box in the spirit of fairplay, because after all elections are a game, » he said.