The Deputy Regional Commander, ACP David Agyemang Adjem has advised security forces in the Ashanti Region to be responsible in helping to maintain peace and order in tomorrow’s District Assembly and Unit Committee election in the Ashanti Region.

He spoke to the gathering, which comprised the Police, Fire, Customs and the Immigration Service to use the opportunity given as ‘test case’ ahead of next year’s presidential and parliamentary elections.

“Lets’ provide responsible effective and high quality service, the service that we have always provided so that when we are counting those who made the elections possible, we will not be left out,” ACP David Agyemang Adjem said.

“Tomorrow’s election is a test case for us. I am saying this because it also offers us an opportunity to do what we have been doing since the 1992 elections. It is an opportunity to use this as a dress rehearsal for the main one that comes on almost a year to today that is a year, minus 10 days.

5,934 security personnel were assembled at the Central Police Headquarters, Kumasi to receive instructions on their obligations ahead of the polls on December 17, 2019 across the 47 constituencies in the Ashanti Region.

According to the Regional Commander, security plays a key role in the preservation of harmony whenever citizens need to make a choice of leadership therefore there was the need to update and define the role of security personnel’s ahead of the polls.

“One of our primary responsibilities as members of the security services is that we need to ensure the safety security of all election materials by guarding and escorting same and so tomorrow morning some of you will guard and escort the materials from the constituency offices to the polling stations. We are also to ensure that voters queue orderly. If we come to your polling station, the queues are disorderly, and people are fighting, it means that you have not done your job properly.

READ ALSO:

$1.9bn Generated from "Year of Return" Activities

“We are to ensure that we take all the necessary measures to prevent any activity that will threaten or disrupt the elections. We are also to carry out lawful instruction of the presiding of the electoral commission in relation to the elections.

“We must also assist the disable or vulnerable people and especially women, pregnant women and women who have children.

“When it is five pm without any queue from anybody, you go and stand at the end of the queue so that you will not allow anybody to join the queue.

He further directed and cautioned them on the don’ts, which could jeopardize and frustrate the activities on the day. The security personnel were requested to conduct themselves and provide “effective and high quality service that comes with honesty and integrity”.

"We are not supposed to take part of the actual administration of the elections. We are not to check anybody’s ID cards. That is the responsibility of the officers conducting the elections. We are supposed to do our jobs and not to harass or intimidate any person.

“We are not supposed to show any bias or favoritism to any political parties or its candidates. We are not supposed to use our mobile phone for any unofficial reason. If you are using your mobile phone, it is for health or support. Don’t go and do WhatsApp when elections are ongoing

“Let’s not use unnecessary force in the discharge of our duties. We are supposed to be at the election center from 7 am to 5pm”, he ended.