? the Mission's own observations; ? statements by witnesses; ? its assessment of the conduct of the elections from the point of view of the national laws governing the elections and the universal principles in electoral matters; ? its recommendations for the improvement of the conduct of future elections and monitoring Missions. Article 17 : 1. The Observer/Supervisory Mission's report shall be signed by all Members of the Mission and submitted to the Executive Secretary by the Mission's leader within fifteen (15) days with effect from the date of accomplishment of the Mission. 2. Before leaving the host country, the Mission shall convene a consultative meeting for the preparation of the report. 3. Any member of the Mission, who is unable to attend the meeting, shall submit a report in writing to the Mission's leader before leaving the country. 4. ECOWAS Staff shall assist the Mission in the preparation of the report. Article 18 : The report shall be forwarded by the Executive Secretary, together with his own observations, if necessary, to the Mediation and Security Council for recommendations to be made to the country concerned and/or to all Member States, and for measures to be taken, where necessary. SECTION IV: THE ROLE OF THE ARMED FORCES, THE POLICE AND THE SECURITY FORCES IN A DEMOCRACY Article 19 : 1. The armed forces and police shall be non-partisan and shall remain loyal to the nation. The role of the armed forces shall be to defend the independence and the territorial integrity of the State and its democratic institutions. 2. The police and other security agencies shall be responsible for the maintenance of law and order and the protection of persons and their properties. 3. The armed forces, the police and other security agencies shall participate in ECOMOG missions as provided for in Article 28 of the Protocol. 4. They may also, on the decision of the constitutionally constituted authorities, participate in peacekeeping missions under the auspices of the African Union or the United Nations. 5. Members of the armed forces may be drafted to participate in national development projects. Article 20 : 1. The armed forces, the police and other security agencies shall be under the authority of legally constituted civilian authorities. 2. The civilian authorities shall respect the apolitical nature of the armed forces and police. All political or trade union activities and propaganda shall be forbidden in the barracks and within the armed forces. Article 21 : The armed and security forces personnel as citizens, shall be entitled to all the rights set out in the constitution, except as may be stated otherwise in their special regulations. Article 22 : 1. The use of arms to disperse non-violent meetings or demonstrations shall be forbidden. Whenever a demonstration becomes violent, only the use of minimal and/or proportionate force shall be authorised. 2. All cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment shall be forbidden. 3. The security forces, while carrying out investigations, shall not disturb or arrest family members or relations of the person presumed guilty or suspected of having committed an offence. Article 23 : 7