The Accra Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police (COP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has assured political parties of the commitment of the police to ensure peaceful elections on November 7, 2016.
The police, he said, would remain apolitical and would not allow themselves to be used by any politician. “No police officer can influence the elections negatively even though we have our individual political interest.
We are professionals and by our code of ethics we are barred from engaging in active politics,” said Dr Dampare when he called on the regional executives of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) and the People’s National Convention (PNC).
The meeting formed part of a series of stakeholder engagements aimed at enhancing the partnership between the police and the political parties to ensure peaceful presidential and parliamentary elections.
Interactions
During his interaction with some executive members of the parties at separate meetings, Dr Dampare assured the public that his command would act in a professional, transparent, objective and resolute manner to create a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the elections.
He also urged the political parties not to entertain any policeman or policewoman who aligned themselves with the party.
“Watch out for such persons. They do so for their personal interest just to win favours. Be careful of persons who present themselves as sympathisers of your party; do not allow them to take you for granted.”
He urged the political parties to work together with the police by sharing information on any suspicious activity that could affect the security of the nation.
The meeting was also used to introduce to the parties a special political desk which had been set up at the regional and all the district and divisional offices.
PPP
At the PPP office, the National chairman of the PPP, Nii-Alottey Brew-Hammond, stated that there was anxiety among the electorate on the outcome of the police and urged the police to help allay the fears of the public.
After commending the police for the initiative he said together they could secure the peace of the nation and assured them of the party’s readiness to continue to advocate the welfare of the police.
The Regional Chairman of the Party, Mr Mike Eghan Jnr, noted that a number of issues arose during the elections at the polling stations, where there were many people monitoring the elections in the name of representing the interest of the various political parties.
“There is lack of trust between the presiding officers and the polling station attendants and that is where the police come in,” he said, and suggested that the Electoral Commission (EC) consider the use of ICT to cut down on the number of political party representatives at the polling stations on the day of the election.
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