He said his troops must comply and that no guns would be allowed near polling booths while the police and military must also ensure security for voters, political activists, local and international election monitors.

"Your duty will not be over until after the elections and your duty will have to be fulfilled until the new government is formed," he declared to reporters.

He said large political rallies were expected in the capital on Friday, the last day of official election campaigning.

"They will rally in the parks, the gardens and on the streets. Your job is to provide safe protection for all of them because police and military officials are neutral forces, and a tool of the government," he said.

But Hok Lundy also warned that in a post-electoral environment his men would be armed with police dogs, tear gas and electric batons which would be used if political actitivists protested the result in a violent fashion.

"This is not a message to threaten political parties but we have to be prepared. If the result comes out and some parties make violent demonstrations against the result then this intervention will be used," the chief of police said.

WAR.WIRE