IGP to inaugurate Elections Security Taskforce

Mr John Kudalor, Acting Inspector General of Police would inaugurate Elections 2016 National Security Taskforce on January 20.

The mandate of the Taskforce is to ensure that the November 7 Presidential and Parliamentary polls are conducted in an atmosphere of peace.

Mr Kudalor told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the Elections 2016 National Security Taskforce would also serve as the frontline elections intelligence collection, analysis, and exploitation of information in support of law enforcement for national security.

The Taskforce would include personnel from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana National Fire Service, and Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority.

Mr Kudalor explained that the Taskforce would engage stakeholders like political parties, media, Electoral Commission, National Commission for Civic Education, National Peace Council, and religious leaders.

“It will among other duties, engage in continuous interactions with the public to ensure peaceful political atmosphere before, during and after the elections,” he said.

He noted the Taskforce has a mandate to identify potential flash point and adopt more robust, professional and assertive security methods to deal with any potential threat to national security.

“The Police will not renege on its mandate to protect lives and property before, during and after Elections 2016, in fact our preparation started last year and we are preparing for the worst scenarios.

“To the Police every polling station is a potential hot spot, so we are ready to deal with criminal elements and politicians who will want to take the law into their own hands and misbehave,” he said.

Mr Kudalor reminded the political parties of the need to inform the Police at all time of their electoral activities especially rally and political gathering to ensure “we provide adequate security and map-out strategy to avert clashes between rival political parties during electioneering”.

The IGP said the Police Command would be fair to all parties, without fear or favour, whilst the security services are determined to ensure that the November general election is as peaceful as possible.

He appealed to the public to obey the rules and regulations governing the elections.

Source: GNA