3 Days to General Election: Zero tolerance for violence - Security task force sounds warning

The National Election Security Task Force, led by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has declared zero tolerance for “machoism” and the wearing of uniforms of security services by non-security personnel during the upcoming December 7 general election. 

At a crunch meeting with political parties in Accra yesterday, the elections security task force communicated its resolve to tame any deviant behaviour that could threaten the peace and security of the public.

The meeting was called at the instance of the election security task force to address outstanding security concerns after an earlier engagement on November 21, 2024.

Representatives of the eight political parties and four independent candidates contesting the presidential election attended the meeting held at the Police Headquarters.

The engagement was held in a friendly atmosphere but in a frank tone as the security task force emphasised a no-compromise orientation towards protecting the public in order to safeguard the integrity of the election process.

Address

Addressing the meeting, the IGP informed the political parties that the task force was going into this year’s general election with zero tolerance for “machoism”, a phenomenon that had intimidated opponents and vulnerable people during elections in the past.

Dr George Akuffo Dampare, IGP, briefing the press

Dr Dampare, therefore, cautioned that anyone who attempted to intimidate people at any polling station, collation centre or within any community across the country during the election period would be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law.

The IGP further stressed that security remained the sole responsibility of state security agencies.

In this regard, he said, the National Election Security Task Force would not condone the practice where non-state security personnel and individuals were seen in uniforms of state security agencies or assumed appearances that mimicked state security agencies during the elections. 

“Any non-security personnel found in such uniforms on election day would be dealt with,” he emphasised. 

New strategy

The IGP outlined the redefined De-escalation Strategy, which is focused on providing the contact numbers of the police leadership at the national, regional, divisional, and district commands to the public for timely contact.

The strategy, he said, was to ensure quick and effective resolution of security issues at any location across the country during the period promptly.

“This strategy of de-escalation is formed out of the fact that some major conflicts during elections stem from unresolved disagreements among stakeholders,” Dr Dampare said.

“These issues often begin as minor disputes, but which without timely leadership intervention, can escalate into violence. This de-escalation strategy is, therefore, taken to address these situations effectively during this election period,” the IGP added.

Dr Dampare affirmed the commitment of the National Election Security Task Force to protect the electoral process by ensuring that the security measures were strictly adhered to by the various political parties, and that anyone who flouted the measures would be dealt with according to the law.

The representatives of the political parties pledged their commitment to abide by the measures outlined by the election security task force to ensure a peaceful election.