Stakeholders resist arming the police in December poll.

A proposal by the National election security task force to arm the police and other security personnel in the December poll has been met with huge resistance.

The aim of the proposal, DSP Kwesi Ofori Head of the Police Public Relations maintains is to create a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for elections, and ward off all miscreants who might disrupt activities at the polling centers.

But objections to the proposal have come in thick and fast.

NDC's Deputy General Secretary Elvis Afriyie Ankrah says that is a grand ploy by the police in collusion with government to rig the December elections.

With recent reports of police stray bullets killing innocent citizens, the General Secretary of the PNC has expressed his reservation about the proposal.

In an interview with Joy news, Bernard Monah was apt in his criticism: “The police are trigger happy, and the thought of having the prisons, fire, immigration all armed to the teeth is worrying.”

A governance think-tank has however been modest in their criticisms.

Kwesi Jonah research fellow at the Institute of Democratic Governance says a permanent presence of the police force, will be advisable. Armed police men should only be invited if the need arises.

Speaking to Joy news Kwasi Jonah indicated that any attempt to arm the police at the polling centers will rather scare away innocent voters from exercising their franchise.

The National Election Security Task force which is chaired by the IGP Patrick Acheampong is made up of personnel from all the other state security apparatus and will outdoor their overall security arrangements for the December elections next Month.

Author: Nathan Gadugah