The Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has warned various political parties against using muscled persons (machomen) to intimidate voters on election day.
Speaking at a political parties engagement as the head of the National Election Security Task Force, Dr. Dampare warned that any such individuals found culpable of intimidating voters or engaging in violence will be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law.
“This culture of machoism, which makes people think that biceps are ways to determine the strength of a person, will not be tolerated.
“If any such people are found near a polling station, community, environment, or collation center trying to intimidate the people, we will find a place for that person to sleep,” he stated at the meeting held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
He called on the political parties to cooperate with law enforcement officials to ensure peace and safety during the election.
“We have brought you here to inform you of our plans so that when we begin to act, you (political parties) won’t say that we have taken sides,” the IGP said.
Dr. Dampare cautioned the parties against recruiting foot soldiers to impersonate state security officers during the election.
Ghanaians will be voting on December 7, 2024, to elect a new president and members of parliament.
The National Election Security Task Force, led by the Ghana Police Service, is made up of various security agencies, including the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Immigration Service, and Ghana Prisons Service, among others.
The task force is in charge of managing security issues during, before, and after the elections.
GA/EK
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