Police will not interfere with work of EC - IGP

Cape Coast, March 15, GNA- The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nana Owusu Nsiah on Monday pledged that the police would not interfere in the work of the Electoral Commission, before or after this year's general election.

He said the police, have resolved to be more "responsible and professional" in their duties, and would cooperate and give the Commission the needed support to ensure that both the registration exercise and the elections, are free of incidents.

Nana Nsiah, made the pledge at a meeting with police personnel, opinion leaders, the media, and political party representatives at Cape Coast as part of his tour of the central region.

The IGP urged police personnel to desist from selective justice and exhibit high professionalism in their duties, and reminded them that the service, was not to indulge in party politics, but was mandated to maintain law and order efficiently and remain neutral in the performance of its duties.

He touched on the constant attacks on police stations and personnel, which he said were due to negative public perceptions about the police.

Nana Nsiah urged policemen to forge friendly relationship with the press and the public, and announced that a 'community police unit' has been established at the headquarters and that similar ones would also be opened in the regional and districts capitals, and called for more neighbourhood watch committees to be set up.

He repeated calls on the media to be circumspect and responsible in its reportage, pointing out, that "the pen is mightier than an AK 47 rifle".

The IGP, cautioned members of the various political parties to be mindful of their utterances in order to help maintain peace and stability in this election year and respect the laws, especially the public order act, in their electioneering campaigns.

He appealed to the clergy to pray and constantly preach peace and reconciliation and brotherliness to their congregations, to ensure absolute peace and tranquillity during the electioneering campaigns and the elections.

The Regional Minister, Mr Isaac Edumadze urged politicians to be circumspect in their utterances before and after the election, adding that in the past, people made "unguarded statements which brought problems", and that time has come for all to "cease fire" to ensure peaceful elections this year."

The Acting Regional Police Commander, Mr William Twumasi commended the government for providing the police service with logistics such as vehicles and communication gadgets which he said has greatly improved their work.