The Ghana Police Service has given the assurance that adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure a peaceful electoral process during and after today’s by-election in the Assin North constituency.
A statement released by the Assistant Commissioner of Police Director, Public Relations, Grace Ansah-Akrofi, disclosed that enough officers would be deployed to maintain law and order, and provide a secure environment for all stakeholders involved.
The statement added that, at the instance of the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Management Board (POMAB) yesterday held a meeting with key stakeholders in the election, including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) and the Electoral Commission, will enhance the working relationship among all stakeholders towards a peaceful election.
The governing New Patriotic Party team was led by the National Chairman and National Organiser while the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) team was led by the National Chairman and General Secretary. The Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) was also led by its National Secretary and Regional executives and the Electoral Commission (EC) was led by its Director of Operations.
The statement also noted that the security concerns raised by all stakeholders were taken into account when formulating the final security strategy for the election.
Concerns raised
The Police pointed out that one concern all the stakeholders want the public to help them address is the circulation of false information on social media. In this regard, it urged the public to be circumspect in their reportage on the election.
The Police observed that false information circulated by the public has the likelihood to occasion a breach of the peace of the country. Consequently, the Police cautioned that it would take the necessary action against anyone found culpable.
The statement urged 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.
It expressed the hope that all the stakeholders to help in ensuring that the by-election is conducted in an atmosphere of peace.
“We wish to express our gratitude to all our stakeholders for their cooperation so far, and look forward to the same level of cooperation for the last lap of the election to ensure a safe, secure and peaceful exercise. As we go into the Assin North By-Election, the Police Service wishes to assure the people of Assin North in particular and Ghanaians in general that adequate security measures have been put in place within the Constituency in order to ensure security, law and order before, during and after the election,” it noted.
NPP’s commitment
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of NPP, Stephen Ntim, yesterday restated the governing party’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful election as the foundation of a thriving democracy. He stressed the need for party members and supporters to exhibit high moral standards and respect for the electoral process.
“This afternoon, the NPP, led by myself, met with our counterparts from the opposition NDC at the instance of the IGP at Assin North to finalise plans on security arrangements for tomorrow’s by-election. We in the NPP are committed to ensuring a peaceful election. 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 of victory!,” he posted in Facebook yesterday.
By-election
A total of 41,168 registered voters are expected to cast their votes in 99 polling stations across the Assin North constituency in the by-election being held today.
The seat became vacant following a Supreme Court ruling that resulted in the removal of James Gyakye Quayson from Parliament due to his dual citizenship status.
Parliamentary candidates vying the seat include the New Patriotic Party’s Charles Opoku, opposition NDC’s James Gyakye Quayson and the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) candidate, Bernice Enyonam Sefenu.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has assured the public that it will take the necessary steps to ensure a peaceful and transparent by-election. The Commission has also vowed to work closely with security agencies to maintain law and order during the voting process.
