The Inspector General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Buanuh, has warned that persons who would cause or engage in electoral violence come December 7, would have a brush with the law.
The IGP gave the stern warning during his one-day working visit to the Eastern Regional Police Command, to assess their operational preparedness for the presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7, 2020.
While addressing the press, Mr. Oppong-Buanuh appealed to the youth in various communities “not to allow themselves to be used to foment violence during the elections because if they do, the long arm of the law will catch up with them”.
He noted that it is the primary responsibility of the Ghana Police Service (GPS), together with the other security agencies, to provide adequate security during the entire duration of the electoral process to ensure the smooth running of the elections.
In view of that, the IGP explained that he has been on a regional tour of the country to gauge the operational readiness of the police service in the various regions across the country.
According to Mr. Oppong-Buanuh, he has appealed to the chiefs and elders to counsel the youth to desist from all forms of violence especially as the nation inches close to the December 7 polls.
“I have appealed to Nananom to assist us to protect the nation. My plea to them was that they should speak to the people in their communities not to take the law into their own hands when there is a misunderstanding. No one should go the polling station with knives and weapons or go with the intention to foment trouble else they shall be dealt with by the police”, he stated.
He further gave assurances that the police and other security services would do their best to ensure there is peace before, during and after the elections for all electorates to perform their civil obligation without fear or hindrances.
Regional tour
The IGP has been on a regional tour ahead of the December 7th general elections to assess the level of preparedness of the police service in forestalling violence and ensuring peace and security for electorates.
The IGP has visited the Western North, Oti and Eastern Regions and has assured the voting public of a peaceful election.
