Sri Lanka, March 26 -- This article will focus on security challenges during an election. It does not manifest any political views in any form. It is written for a global readership. Security is both integral to the goal of an election and an inseparable part of the electoral process.

There is no single model of elections that is universally applicable to all countries. An election is unique; defined not only by the electoral rules, but also shaped by the social values, politics, religions, history and culture of the people. In the same way, the security of an election is unique to the circumstances in which it is conducted. Elections are a potent tool to defuse conflict.

As these peaceful means seek to resolve inter alia social, politi...