The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) James Oppong Boanuh, has issued a stern warning that the Ghana Police Service will not tolerate the presence of any party security at polling stations during the general elections on Monday.
According to him, the police are mandated to ensure the safety of the elections and are working in conjunction with other security agencies that have provided personnel for Monday’s activities.
Party police, he said, would therefore not be allowed at any polling station as part of the election security set up.
James Oppong Boanuh, who is also Chairman of the National Election Security Taskforce, issued the warning on Peace FM’s Krokrokoo Morning Show on Thursday 3rd December when he joined the programme to explain security preparation towards the polls.
He disclosed that 62,794 officers drawn from the various security agencies would be deployed on Monday to ensure the safety of the election process and the voting public.
He indicated that officers who would be providing security at polling stations would be in the official uniform of the agency they belong to with name tags and arm-bands with the inscription ‘Elections 2020.’
He said, “So when you see such personnel you will know they are really security officers guarding the election process.”
Mr. Oppong-Boanuh warned that none of the security agencies wear plain brown khaki and therefore any person who visits a polling station in khaki and claiming to provide security is an imposter and would be arrested.
He assured that the uniforms of the various security agencies that would be working alongside the police on Election Day would be publicized so the general public will be aware of them.
He warned that motorcycles would also not be allowed within 300 meters of polling stations, and stressed that if not for the difficulties of transportation the police would have banned the use of motorbikes on election days.
He stated that any voter who visits a polling station with a motorbike to vote would have to leave the machine 300 meters away and walk the rest of the distance.
Any person who flouts this directive, he said, and brings the machine close to the polling station would be arrested immediately and the motorbike confiscated.
The IGP explained that so far the police have identified 6,174 flashpoints, which are potential polling stations where infractions could occur including snatching of ballot boxes, intimidation of voters, violent arguments that could degenerate among others.
Mr. Oppong-Boanuh stated that there is heightened tension whenever the country approaches general elections because of the pressure and anxiety among the contestants.
He, however, observed that the character of Ghanaians is a prime factor that causes tension during elections.
According to him, in other jurisdictions, though there is some tension during elections, the system and how the people live their lives brings some assurances thereby calming the tense atmosphere.
He assured that the police will continue to enforce the law and also protect the public regardless of the election arrangements on Monday and urged the public to support the service to discharge their responsibilities dutifully.
He warned that any person or group of persons who intend to cause trouble at polling stations will be met by the full force of the police and the other allied security agencies.
Source: Mypublisher24.com
