Security agencies trained on electoral security

The Independent for Electoral Commission (IEC) has commenced a four-day training in Mohale’s Hoek district aimed at equipping security agencies with knowledge and tools necessary to maintain stability and ensure peaceful, secure elections.

Participants in the workshop that kickstarted today include the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) and Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) staffers.

According to IEC public relations manager, Tuoe Hantši, the purpose of the workshop is to expose the security agencies to electoral security issues, electoral threats as well as mitigating strategies.

The training is also meant to enhance understanding of security agencies on electoral processes, persons, places and situations that need security during elections.

In addition, the training would enable the agencies to identify their differing roles in the process so as to provide security where necessary and avoid, and counteract security threats that can make the commission, voters, contestants vulnerable to intimidation as well as attack during delivery of elections, Hantši said in a statement released today.