The Dampare-led police administration has held a crunch meeting with the leadership of political parties taking part in the Assin North by-election today, to stop potential disturbances during the polls.
At the instance of the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, the meeting was held on Monday, June 26, 2023 in the Assin North Constituency to enhance the working relationship among stakeholders.
The leaderships of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) and the referee, the Electoral Commission (EC), were present at the meeting.
Aimed at a “peaceful election,” as stated in a statement issued by the Police, the meeting assured the political parties and the general public that “adequate security measures” have been put in place.
The security measures, the statement noted, are “to ensure security, law and order before, during, and after the election.”
The stakeholders present at the meeting outlined some concerns, which the Police say have all been factored into the final security strategy for the election.
Meanwhile, the Police have also cautioned the public against false reportage, particularly on social media, which has the potency to breach the peace, adding that the Police are on wild alert to crush the culprits.
“We wish to urge the people of Assin North constituency to go about their normal activities freely, including going out to exercise their civic duty of casting their vote,” the Police statement said.
ASSURANCE
The National Chairman of the NPP, Stephen Ayensu Ntim, took to his Facebook page on Monday, after the meeting, to assure the general public that his party was committed to a peaceful poll.
“Consequently, we have tasked our officers, supporters and sympathisers to conduct themselves in that regard. As our motto depicts, NPP upholds the tenets of development in freedom. We’re resolute for victory!” he wrote.
EC PREPARED
Meanwhile, the EC says it is prepared for the Assin North by-election today, with its personnel assigned to about 90 polling stations.
The Director of Electoral Services, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, has indicated that the Commission has made adequate provisions to deal with the rains, in order not to disenfranchise any of the voters.
According to him, the EC personnel are conversant with the terrain and where there is flooding, they would use other means to reach the electorate.
He mentioned that the EC would use vehicles, motorcycles, tricycles and any other means possible to ensure election materials arrive safely at the polling stations.
He stated that voting would commence at 7 a.m and end at 5 p.m for sorting, counting, collation, and declaration of the final results.
The by-election is being contested by the NPP, NDC and LPG.
By Maxwell Ofori & Stephanie Birikorang
