Politics of Thursday, 6 December 2012

Source: GNA

3,865 security personnel to be deployed to Eastern Region

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) James Azumah Abass-Abaah, said 3,865 security personnel would be deployed to polling stations in the Eastern Region.

The police officer in an interaction with journalists in Koforidua on Wednesday disclosed that the region has 2, 961 polling station in the 33 constituencies, and that security measures at identified flashpoints would be strengthened.

ACP Abass-Abaah appealed to media personnel, especially those working at FM stations, to be circumspect in their reportage in order not to create unnecessary fear and panic among Ghanaians.

He advised media personnel to cross check their facts from the Regional Election Security Task Force Media Sub-Committee before dissemination.

“Media personnel should inform the Media Sub-Committee before rushing to any crime scene during the election period to enable them (the media personnel) to be provided with adequate security at the crime scene”.

ACP Abass –Abaah asked political parties to educate their supporters on the need to maintain peace on the polling day.

He advised minors not to vote, and warned that the laws would deal with any minor who would infringe on the law barring people below 18 years of age from voting.

ACP Abass –Abaah said no law allows any one from physically preventing a registered voter from casting ballot.

He advised the electorate not to loiter around polling stations after voting and said motor bikes were not to be packed at least 200 metres away from polling stations.

ASP Yaw Nketia-Yeboah, the Regional Public Affairs Officer, said the media Sub-Committee would operate round the clock at the joint Operations Centre to handle all media related issues.

He asked media personnel to contact Sub-Committee or the Regional Police Headquarters for any information on the election.