IGP Assures All Eligible Voters Of Protection

The Inspector-General of Police, Paul Tawiah Quaye, has assured Ghanaians of maximum police protection against the activities of miscreants and hooligans during the on-going biometric voter registration exercise. He said those who would attempt to foment trouble would be arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others. �We would protect both prospective voters and registration officers to ensure the success of the exercise. No one can deprive Ghanaians of their franchise,� he stated. Mr. Quaye gave the assurance when he visited some of the registration centres in Accra yesterday, to acquaint himself with the problems and challenges associated with the exercise. Some of the places he visited included the St. Kizito R/C School at Nima, Accra Technical Training Centre, M. A. Primary School, Tetegu/Oblgu, Tech Fam Academy, New Weija and the Dansoman Police Station polling centres. The Inspector-General urged the electorate to be tolerant and patient with the registration offices, as they try to overcome the technical challenges associated with the exercise. He said �those who take the law into their hands would be seriously dealt with, and implored the prospective voters to exercise restraint and go about the registration process peacefully. Mr. Quaye asked the registration officers to report any form of violence and intimidation to the police, saying that his administration would be fair, professional and resolute in handling any registration offences reported during the exercise. He observed that the exercise was progressing steadily, despite the technical challenges and the long queues and cases of impersonation. Mr. Quaye said the Police Administration was currently implementing a comprehensive nationwide security strategy for the exercise, and tasked all the Police Commands to provide the needed security for the exercise. He commended the Electoral Commission for its efforts to address the initial challenges associated with the use of machines and related facilities for the exercise. He commended the Electoral Commission for its efforts to address the initial challenges associated with the use of machines and related facilities for the exercise. Touching on the December general elections, Mr. Quaye assured Ghanaians and the international community of the preparedness of the police to maintain law and order before, during and after the elections. �We pledge to provide the congenial atmosphere for peaceful elections. What is needed is the active and constructive co-operation of all stakeholders, since the maintenance of peace and security is a collective responsibility and not the preserve of the security agencies,� he said. Mr. Quaye said the police would deal with any threat to the peace and security of the nation during the election and, therefore, asked Ghanaians to carry out their activities freely without rear. Among those who accompanied the IGP were the Director-General of Operations, COP John Kudalor; the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department, COP Prosper Kwame Agbor; the Director-General in charge of Administration, COP Ofosu Mensah Gyeabour, in-charge of Technical; Fred Adu-Anim, Chief Staff Officer, and DCOP Christian Yohuno, Deputy Greater Accra Regional Police Commander.