Police urged to ensure credible elections

Kumasi, July 16, GNA - Mr Samuel Yorke-Aidoo, Ashanti Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), has noted that adequate security measures play significant role in ensuring credible elections, and called on the Police to assist in ensuring the success of the 2004 Polls.

He, however, said though the Police would be expected to be vigilant at polling stations that should not warrant them to interfere in the electoral process.

Mr Yorke-Aidoo was speaking at a day's seminar on electoral laws, procedures and regulations for 65 senior police officers from Central, Western, Northern, Upper East and West Regions in Kumasi.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) sponsored the seminar, which was organised by the Police Administration and the EC. Mr Yorke-Aidoo urged security agencies to assist the Commission to discharge its duties effectively to win the confidence of the people. He commended the Police for arresting electoral offenders and said that could help purge the electoral system of fraud.

Mr Amadu Sulley, Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of the EC, appealed to the Police Officers to acquaint themselves with electoral rules and regulations.

Mr Ben H. Asamoa, Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, said the Police was making frantic efforts to ensure free and fair elections and tasked officers to remain neutral in the discharge of their duties. He urged the Police to uphold the tenets of the 1992 Constitution to promote good governance.

"We want to assure the Electoral Commission that the Police Service is ready to work jointly with other state institutions towards credible elections devoid of trouble", Mr Asamoa said.