Role of security forces in the electoral processes Security forces, that is, the police and the army, are required by the law to conduct themselves in a non-partisan manner in electoral processes. Reports received by ZESN indicate that security forces generally played a positive role in the electoral processes during the reporting period. Figure 9 below shows the numbers of reports received from ZESN LTOs respecting whether the security forces were playing a positive role in the electoral processes, as significant number of responses to these question were in the affirmative. Did the security forces play a positive role in the electoral processes 77 Yes No 245 Figure 9: The role of security forces in the electoral processes Tension barometer Previous elections have seen tensions escalating, particularly as the Election Day approaches. ZESN sought to measure the degree of tension in the constituencies around the country in the run up to the 30 July election. Figure 10 below shows the number of reports received for different incidents. 12 REPORT ON PRE-ELECTION POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT AND OBSERVATION OF KEY ELECTORAL PROCESSES