5. The members of the Mission shall show restraint and refrain from making any individual statement. Any statement shall be made collectively and on behalf of the Mission by the team leader or a spokesperson appointed for this purpose. Article 16 1. The Mission shall remain in the country throughout the election period and until the election results are announced. 2. The Mission shall also submit a report to the Executive Secretary. 3. The Report shall comprise: • 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