Rules governing civil servants’ participation in politics have been in place for decades, according to the Secretary to the Cabinet, Donald Scott.Responding to allegations of foul play by the One Bermuda Alliance, whose candidate Anthony Francis is being forced out of his job because of his candidacy, Mr Scott cited the Conditions of Employment and Code of Conduct which require civil servants to resign their posts if they want to run for political office.“The CECC policy applies to Civil Servants who are represented by the Bermuda Public Service Union. The CECC was an update to General Orders that previously applied to Civil Servants,” Mr Scott said in a written statement.“In addition to the CECC, Section 4 of the Government of Bermuda’s Election Guidance Notes for Civil Servants, dated June 2003, states that Civil Servants may not run for political office unless they first resign their post.“This CECC however does not apply to other groups of workers in the public sector including industrial workers, teachers, corrections officers and police officers. Some of these groups of workers have greater latitude with respect to participation in political activity.”Mr Scott confirmed that Anthony Francis was told he would have to resign his post when he was announced as a political candidate.“Mr Francis was a Civil Servant when he announced himself as a political candidate and in doing so, he also criticised the leadership of the incumbent government,” said Mr Scott.The same rules do not apply to John Gibbons, a candidate for the ruling party, because even though he works for Government, he is represented by the BIU and he is not a civil servant, Mr Scott continued.The statement went on to say that the rules in place are “very similar to those in other countries where government workers who are not directly involved in central administration and policy work have greater latitude to participate in politics.”Mr Francis works as IT Manager for the Bermuda Post Office. Mr Gibbons works as a Vector Control Officer for the Ministry of Health.When Melvin Dickinson, then Manager of National Office for Seniors and Physically Challenged, was announced as the ruling party candidate for Warwick West he was also told he had to resign his civil service job or give up the candidacy. He chose not to pursue elective office.