Dr. George Akuffo Dampare
THE INSPECTOR General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has issued a stern warning to party militants, saying the police will have zero tolerance for their policing activities during the December 7 polls.
He emphasised that they should distance themselves from the December 7 election security exercises, as anyone found parading as a security official will face punishment without any hesitation.
Addressing political parties yesterday on security preparations ahead of Saturday’s election, Dr. Dampare bemoaned how political parties use these party militants dressed in a police-military-like uniform to intimidate citizens.
He was emphatic that, the taskforce has taken cognizance of the development and has deployed measures in place to check such ‘impersonation’ by these individuals.
“We’ve noticed that some individuals and groups use similar uniforms, which can cause confusion and undermine national security. In this critical period, we’re taking a firm stance against this practice. Let me be clear: any unauthorised use of security uniforms will not be tolerated,” he affirmed.
He reiterated that only state actors are authorised to wear uniforms that identify them as security personnel during the election period, urging political leaders present to communicate the message to their party members.
Dr. Dampare further mentioned that the security service has moved away from the culture of masculinity where brute force is seen as the ultimate measure of strength.
“We will not tolerate any attempts to intimidate voters or disrupt the peace. Let me be clear: anyone found near polling stations or community centres to cause trouble will be dealt with swiftly and within the confines of the law. We will ensure that those who wish to exercise their franchise can do so without fear of intimidation,” he stated.
Parties Commitment
General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey was optimistic that discussions and agreements made on security arrangement regarding the upcoming election on December 7 will be implemented successfully.
“We’ve assured that our members and executives will adhere to the instructions provided, ensuring a peaceful and secure electoral process.
“To avoid any confusion or misinformation, we’ve emphasised the importance of not wearing attire similar to that of security forces on Election Day. Additionally, we’ve been assured that no individual, including those within the security architecture, will be allowed to carry weapons near polling stations or collation centres,” he told journalists.
The National Director of Research and Elections of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Evans Nimako, assured the National Election Security Taskforce of the party’s commitment to peaceful elections.
“We’re concerned about misinformation and disinformation, but we’re confident in our security agencies and the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure a smooth process,” he said.
Mr. Nimako noted that following Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s signing of the National Peace Pact, he emphasised the importance of the media, political parties, and security agencies adhering to the rules and regulations governing the electoral process.
“The NPP is committed to doing just that, from our flagbearer to national executives and polling station officials. We commend our security agencies, the media, and EC officials for their efforts during the special voting on December 2, 2024. We urge the EC and stakeholders to implement the same mechanisms that ensured a successful special voting exercise,” he added.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke
