The
Ministry of Defense on Sunday affirmed that the
Joint Command of the Armed Forces —in coordination with the
National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE)— has organized the deployment of 61,000 troops to provide security at 11,673 polling stations across the country in the runoff election scheduled for June 6.
In a statement, the ministry said that it has not issued an immobility order applying to Armed Forces personnel on election day and that military personnel who will not have direct participation in actions related to the electoral process will exercise their right to vote without restrictions.
"Military personnel who will participate directly in operations related to the electoral process may go to the polling station if it is located in the area where they fulfill the mission they were assigned, subject to authorization from the corresponding Operational Command and without putting the safety of the process at risk," the document reads.
Moreover, the ministry stated that the functions and prerogatives of the Armed Forces in electoral processes are defined in the Organic Law No. 26859 (Elections Law) and its amendments.
In these cases, Armed Forces members are tasked to ensure the free exercise of the right to vote for all Peruvians, protect electoral officials during the performance of their duties, as well as guard the material, documents, and other elements relating to the election process.
"The Transition and Emergency Government ensures strict compliance with the Political Constitution and electoral laws, as well as the security of the population throughout the territory in the upcoming elections, in coordination with the National Police of Peru," it added.
(END) NDP/RMB
Published: 5/30/2021