SECURITY WILL BE FAIR, FIRM ON ELECTION DAY (PAGE 16)

The Security agencies in the Ashanti Region, made up of the Military, Police, Immigration, Prisons, CEPS and Fire Service, have undertaken a series of joint security exercises as a way of strategising to provide adequate security and protection to the electorate during the December 7, 2008 general election.
The exercise, code named " Peace Angel' was conducted in two phases. The first phase of the exercise involved officers of the various security apparatus with the second phase involving selected men and women in various ranks from the security agencies.
The joint exercise was meant to sensitise the participants to exhibit a sense of professionalism, neutrality and decorum in the discharge of their responsibilities before, during and after the election.
This was to create a peaceful environment that would motivate the electorate in the Ashanti Region to turn up in their numbers to cast their vote without any fear of intimidation.
Addressing the participants, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kwaku Ayensu Opare- Addo, noted that the security apparatus had the duty to prevent potential troublemakers from displaying their antics that could create anarchy before, during and after the December election.
He noted that they also had the responsibility to win the confidence of the electorate by defusing tension likely to cause fear.
" There is the need to exhibit the highest sense of professionalism and transparency in the discharge of our responsibility as well as being fair and firm to enable the election to be held in a peaceful environment," he noted.
DCOP Opare-Addo said it was equally important for the security apparatus to be diligent in their operations, stressing, " If some people want to destroy the nation to achieve their selfish interest, it is our responsibility to fish them out and make them face the full rigours of the law.
“We should not exhibit any form of partisan approach and we should also avoid any act of partiality," he stated.
He said by being professional they in the discharge of their responsibilities, it would be able to prevent anyone from predicting the actions of the security.
The Officer Commanding the 4BN Rear, Major Richard Amponsem Boateng, said it was the duty of the military to join hands with the police and other security agencies to maintain internal peace at all times, stressing, "we are to harmonise our operational plans and procedures to enhance adequate security for the electorate", he noted.
He gave the assurance that they would work as a team and develop operational plans that would make it possible for the electorate in the region to exercise their franchise in a peaceful environment.
The Regional Electoral Officer, Mr Kofi Asomanin, urged the security agencies to manage the electoral process in a way that would make the electorate elect their leaders legitimately.
He pointed out that by creating a peaceful environment, the electorate would be motivated to caste their vote in their numbers.
He said it was equally important for them to offer adequate security to the polling officers as well as the ballot boxes and all materials needed for the conduct of the election.
"You should also offer maximum security to the electorate as they cast their vote and also be at the queue at 5pm to prevent anyone from joining the queue at the last minute," he added.