Election 2012: We�re Thinking Outside The Box � Gbevlo-Lartey

The National Security Coordinator, Lt. Col. (Rtd) Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, has assured Ghanaians all the security agencies will be on high alert before, during and after the December 7 elections because nothing could be taken for granted. Speaking at a public forum on election security ahead of the general polls on Tuesday, Lt. Col. Gbevlo-Lartey said his outfit has to �think outside the box to run a peaceful election� because �situations have changed� since the last five elections. He said national security had to be �pre-emptive� before they are taken by any surprise during this crucial test of Ghana�s democracy, and has liaised with the Electoral Commission of Ghana to ensure the existing peace prevails after the polls. �We�re doing anything to ensure we have a successful election,� Lt. Col. Gbevlo-Lartey said at a forum organised by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre. He noted that �this whole election is like a military campaign. We are looking up to the electoral commissioner, and the security agencies are just complementing his efforts.� He gave the electoral body the assurance national security is ready to assist in carrying out a very successful and peaceful election from the district, regional to national levels. �The Electoral Commissioner will decide the what and we [security] will decide the how.� Lt. Col. Gbevlo-Lartey suggested the creation of district and regional security committees across the country that could be headed by senior electoral commission officers to oversee general security arrangements during the polls.