Kumasi, June 30, GNA- Mr David Adenzi Kanga, Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC) in-charge of Operations, has said that measures have been put in place to reduce electoral conflicts in the December general elections.

He said even though conflicts were bound to occur in the course of the electoral processes, measures have to be taken to prevent them from generating into violence.

He urged the security agencies to play their roles efficiently and effectively to remove fear, suspicion and intimidation from the electorate to enable them to exercise their franchise. Mr Kanga was speaking at a day's seminar for senior police officers from Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo and Eastern regions in Kumasi on Wednesday.

The seminar, organised by the Police Administration in collaboration with the EC, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was aimed at updating the knowledge of the officers on the electoral processes, laws, regulations, offences, conflict resolution and the role of the police during the elections. Mr Kanga said people should expect free and fair elections from the day the electoral laws were passed.

He called for the formation of more "domestic election observer groups" in the country to enhance the credibility of the results. He Kanga urged the security agencies to always be neutral in the performance of their duties in order not to portray themselves as being used by the incumbent to intimidate opponents.

Mr Ofosu-Mensah Gyeabour, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, said the police were ready to work with the EC and other organizations, to ensure that the elections were devoid of any trouble. He said the police had a crucial role to ensure that the laws and the constitution of the country were upheld.

Mr Gyeabour urged the participants to develop positive work ethics and update their knowledge and skills in order to impart the knowledge acquired to their subordinates.