The Director of Elections and IT of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Edward Omane Boamah has said that the Inspector General of Police has been made the Commander-in-Chief of the National Elections Security Task Force.
He added that by the virtu of his position, the IGP, Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare would be the sole decider as to when and how the military should be deployed during the 2024 General Elections.
Dr. Boamah made this disclosure on his facebook page just after the service commander met with representatives of the political parties to engage them ahead of the elections.
“As was made clear at the meeting, the Inspector General of Police is the sole Commander-in-Chief of the National Elections Security Task Force.” – Dr. Omane said
“This being the case, only Police, Immigration, Prisons, Customs and Fire Service personnel (“without lethal weapons”) will be providing security at the polling stations during the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections.
And that should there be the need for any military intervention, it is only the Inspector General of Police, acting as the Commander-in-Chief of the Elections Security Task Force who can authorise military action.” – He added
Ghana will go to the polls on December 7, 2024 to elect President and Member of Parliament.
Read Dr. Omane Boamah’s full statement:
A Great Step Towards Peaceful Elections
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Very productive engagement with the security services yesterday at the Command Centre of the Ghana Police Service headquarters.
And refreshing to note from the Electoral Commission of Ghana that counting of Presidential ballots must precede counting of parliamentary ballots in all polling stations after close of polls.
Kudos IGP Dampare, all service Commanders, and officers and (wo)men of our revered and cherished security services.
Together with Mr. Kofi Totobi Quakyi (Former Minister for National Security) and Lt. Col. Gbevlo Lartey (Former National Security Coordinator, & a former leader of Commandos) and I, we ably represented the National Democratic Congress at the meeting which discussed elections security, ahead of December 7.
It’s obvious the rank and file of the security services are fed up with the economic mismanagement and avoidable hardships Ghanaians are suffering and are determined to repeat the zero tolerance for thuggery approach (which they adopted during the Assin North by-election) in this election.
As was made clear at the meeting, the Inspector General of Police is the sole Commander-in-Chief of the National Elections Security Task Force.
This being the case, only Police, Immigration, Prisons, Customs and Fire Service personnel (“without lethal weapons”) will be providing security at the polling stations during the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections.
And that should there be the need for any military intervention, it is only the Inspector General of Police, acting as the Commander-in-Chief of the Elections Security Task Force who can authorise military action.
This places a huge burden on the shoulders of the IGP if we’re to prevent the 2020 killing of eight (Ghanaians due to an election.
We believe the security services can avoid a repeat of the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence if professionalism is upheld.
With 14 days and some hours, minutes and seconds to December 7, let’s commit to peaceful, transparent and free and fair elections.
Vote John Dramani Mahama for well-paying jobs through the 24-hour economy initiative.
Still keep #EAGLEEYES on the Electoral Commission Ghana and the NPP.
#EAGLEEYES
#OrganiseDontAgonise
#24HourEconomy
