Security agents urged to play according to electoral rules

Mr William Aboah, Minister of the Interior, has cautioned security agents that would be deployed to the polling stations to play according to the rules of the Electoral Commission (EC).

He tasked them to take instructions only from the Presiding officers.

Reacting to a question at a meeting with security agencies in Koforidua in the Eastern Region on Wednesday, Mr Aboah stressed that the duty of the security agents at the polling stations is to maintain peace and should therefore not interfere in the electoral process.

He said the EC had categorically stated that any person with voters’ Identification card is eligible to vote, security agents could not arrest any person based on his age unless the Presiding officer gives them the explicit instruction.

He said the December, 7 elections is crucial and stakeholders, especially the security officers should exhibit professionalism at the polling centres to ensure that they are not distracted from their main function of ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for voting.

He said government is committed to violence free elections for the outcome to be acceptable to all and is therefore prepared to support stakeholders, especially the security services in efforts to ensure that unscrupulous persons do not plunge the nation into chaos.

The Interior Minister told the security officers to be vigilant so that they could act on information quickly to forestall any violence.

Mr Aboah noted that events leading to the polling day such as meetings and rallies could have undertones that must not be taken for granted.

He announced that government had accepted a recommendation to acquire a helicopter for the police to enhance their work.

The Interior Minister explained that the equipping of the police was not based on electoral promises but a constitutional requirement that successive government must act upon.

Source: GNA