Prohibition on the presence of any armed force and cases in which it may attend

1 - Save for the provisions of the following paragraphs, the presence of any armed force in the locations in which polling stations operate and within a radius of one hundred meters thereof is prohibited.
2 - When it is necessary to put an end to any tumult or prevent any aggression or violence in or near the polling station or section building, as well as in cases in which his orders are disobeyed, and after consulting the other officers, the presiding officer may request the presence of an armed force, whenever possible in writing or, in cases in which this is impossible, with a mention in the electoral minutes of the reasons for the request and of the period during which the armed force was present.
3 - If the commander of the armed force possesses sure indications that the members of the board of officers are being subjected to physical or psychological coercion that is preventing the presiding officer from making the request, the commander may intervene on his own initiative
in order to ensure the genuineness of the electoral process, but must withdraw as soon as the presiding officer or whoever is substituting for him asks him to do so, or when he verifies that his presence is no longer justified.
4 - When he believes it to be necessary, the commander of the armed force or someone whom he delegates and to whom he gives credentials may visit the polling station or section unarmed and for a maximum period of ten minutes, in order to make contact with the presiding officer or whoever is substituting for him.
5 - In the cases provided for in paragraphs (2) and (3), the electoral operations at the polling station or section in question shall be suspended, failing which the election in question shall be null and void, until the presiding officer considers that the conditions needed for the operations to continue are in place.