No acts of indiscipline or criminality would be tolerated-IGP

Accra, Aug. 28, GNA- Mr Patrick Kwateng Acheampong, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), on Sunday warned that no acts of indiscipline or criminality would be tolerated during and after the Odododiodio parliamentary bye-election, slated for Tuesday 30 August, 2005. He said: " The Police are determined to provide adequate security for Tuesday's bye-election and we would be very firm on the ground. We expect everyone, especially party representatives and supporters, to operate within authorised legal and security framework."

Mr Acheampong who said this at a press briefing in Accra to outline and discuss security concerns and measures in connection with the elections, appealed to the electorates of Odododiodio, traditional rulers and the public to work towards a violent-free election. He advised the media not to encourage inflammatory publications and to avoid phone-in callers who might make statements that could cause any form of rancour among the populace.

Mr Acheampong assured the electorates in the constituency of their security, adding that they should be able to go about their normal duties without fear since law abiding citizens needed not be worry about any heavy security presence.

He cautioned political parties to advised their supporters to operate within the legal limits by abiding by the Representation of the People Law PNDC law 284(1992) and the Public Order Law (Act491). Mr Acheampong noted that these laws were not enacted for the people of Odododiodio constituency but for all Ghanaians.

Mr Aceampong urged political party agents, sympathisers and supporter to make complaints about any electoral malpractices that might occur to the Electoral Commission's presiding officers or Returning Officers at the Collation centres.

He warned that any high ranking official who might want to work on the polling day as a party agent would be treated in that capacity accordingly.

Mr Acheampong warned that no one should dictate to the police officers who would be working at the Polling stations as to what to do, adding " Our officers have firm instructions not to take order or directives about the conduct of the election or handling of criminal matters from any individuals or party representatives". He also cautioned that people with the intention of involving in electoral fraud and riding of unlicensed motorbikes to desist from doing so since offenders would not spared.

The Director of Operations of the Electoral Commission, Mr Safo Kantanka said there would be no preferential treatment for any public officials who might want to act as party agents on the polling day. 28 Aug. 05