Commissioner David Manning has warned senior police officers that the upcoming National General Election will be one of the most demanding security operations the country has faced, requiring strong leadership, careful planning, and strict commitment to neutrality.
Speaking at the 2027 RPNGC National General Election planning meeting, Commissioner Manning said election security was not a new responsibility for the Constabulary, with many senior officers involved in the room having previous experience managing election operations.
However, he said the operating environment had changed significantly since the 2022 National General Election, with the country facing a growing population, an increased number of electorates, and greater logistical and security demands.
Manning said the role of police during elections was clear to provide a safe and secure environment that allows citizens to exercise their democratic rights.
"Our policy is to provide an environment that is safe and secure to conduct elections. It is our responsibility to allow an opportunity or enable people to exercise their rights to cast their votes," he said.
The Commissioner stressed that police must remain independent and neutral, saying the RPNGC’s role was not to influence election results or determine how elections should be conducted.
"It is not for us to determine outcomes. It is not for us to determine how elections should be conducted. Ours is a neutral and enabling partnership with electoral commission ," he said.
Commissioner Manning said lessons from the 2022 National General Election must be openly examined, including concerns and allegations of impropriety raised against different agencies involved in the electoral process.
He said those discussions were necessary to identify weaknesses and strengthen preparations for the next election.
"The truths and conversations from our previous debrief are things we need to discuss fully again," Manning said.
The Commissioner also highlighted the importance of a strong working relationship between the RPNGC and the Electoral Commission, particularly following the appointment of a new Electoral Commissioner.
He said early communication between police planners and electoral officials would be critical to ensuring both institutions understand each other's responsibilities, capabilities and limitations.
"Open communication lines between yourselves and your Electoral Commission counterparts ensure that there is clarity in what we plan to do, but most importantly ensuring that we understand each other, our capabilities and our constraints," he said.
Manning said failures in coordination during the 2022 election created operational difficulties, particularly in parts of the Highlands, where decisions by electoral officials and police counterparts were not always aligned with broader security plans.
He warned that similar situations must be avoided through stronger planning from the beginning.
"Greater alignment in what the Electoral Commission wants to do and how we plan to support that needs to be determined from day one," he said.
The Commissioner acknowledged that preparing for the election would place significant pressure on RPNGC resources, including personnel, logistics and funding.
He said the Constabulary was working closely with government agencies, including Finance and Treasury, to address resource challenges ahead of the election period.
"Nine months away is far from a comfortable position. I am well aware of the timelines and what you need on the ground," Manning said.
He warned commanders that election operations would test not only their ability to manage large deployments but also their judgment and leadership.
"I remind you, one bad decision by one of you in this room can have catastrophic results," he said.
Manning urged provincial commanders, directors and senior officers to rely on their experience and expertise, saying the election period was not the time for inexperienced leadership.
He also cautioned officers that police would face intense public scrutiny during the election period, including allegations of bias, corruption or interference.
The Commissioner said accountability would be a key focus, with senior officers expected to uphold leadership standards and demonstrate that the Constabulary remains committed to a credible and democratic electoral process.
"As far as expectations are concerned, next year will be slightly different. Accountability will be critical," he said.
Commissioner Manning said the success of the 2027 National General Election would depend on cooperation between institutions, proper resourcing, and the professionalism of those entrusted with protecting the country's democratic process.
