Security Agencies ready for Election 2004 - IGP

Accra, Dec. 6, GNA - Nana Stephen Owusu-Nsiah, Inspector General of Police on Monday said the security organisations with institutional backing of the military are prepared for Election 2004.

Speaking at a news conference in Accra in the capacity as the Chairman of the National Election Taskforce, Nana Owusu-Nsiah said the security agencies were fully prepared to assist the Electoral Commission (EC) to fulfil its constitutional mandate, protect all law-abiding citizens and deal with all those, who may wish to disturb public peace and order.

"We wish to warn all those who have any unlawful intentions or plans of disturbing the electoral process that the security agencies will deal swiftly and ruthlessly with any illegal act."

The Police Chief said some persons were planning to disturb the voting by seizing ballot boxes, disrupting queues, intimidating voters and generally engaging in acts that would delay or frustrate the process.

He advised the media especially FM stations that it was only the Presiding Officers of the Electoral Commission, who were mandated to declare the result at polling stations after all requirements and electoral procedures had been satisfied.

He warned: "Publishing false or unauthorized results may lead to prosecution under the laws of Ghana."

Nana Owusu-Nsiah, who was flanked by the topmost hierarchy of the Police Service, appealed to all Ghanaians to accept the result that would be properly counted and announced at the Polling stations, adding:

" No person whether he or she is a victor or loser should engage in any acts of disorder before, during and after the counting of votes."

He commended Ghanaians in what he described as a " largely peaceful campaign".

He declared: "It is up to all of us to make the country peacefully" and said,"since the main contestant are peace loving people, who have love for their country, they would ensure that there was peace, during and after the polls.