The Inspector-General of Police and also the chairman of the National Election Security Taskforce, James Oppong-Boanuh (I.G.P) has outlined a detailed plan for the deployment of security agents come December 7.
The taskforce with representation from all national security agencies chaired by the IGP was instituted to ensure security during the election process.
The IGP said a total number of 62, 794 men will be deployed to various polling stations starting tomorrow, December 4, 2020. He said 38,000 out of this number are officers of the Ghana Police Service while the remaining are men from the other security agencies.
“62,794 men will be deployed to various polling stations nationwide. Because some men’s stations are far, deployment starts tomorrow. Per our plan, the 62,794 will be enough to ensure a smooth electoral process.”
He further said there will be at least, one security personnel at each polling station. However, he said there will be a Rapid Deployment Force on standby at vantage points in every district. He noted that the purpose of the force is to rush to polling stations in case of any chaos which will be above the capacity of the security personal on the ground.
“We have 6,600 soldiers but no soldier will be deployed to a particular polling station. Together with men from SWAT, RDF, CTU, and men from other security agencies, they will be on standby as what we call Rapid Deployment Force,” he stated.
Furthermore, the National Election Security Taskforce chair said, men from the Rapid Deployment Force will also be assigned to the various district and regional collation centers to help contain the large numbers that usually are present.
IGP James Oppong-Boanuh also spoke on the uniforms the various security personnel will be wearing on Election Day. He said the uniform to be worn by men of the Ghana Police Service has been published on the Service’s website but also hinted that it is nothing different from the usual Police uniform known.
He also disclosed that before Monday, December 7, the official uniform to be worn by the other security agencies will also be published on the Service’s website for public knowledge.
In addition to the uniforms, he said every authorized personnel will be given an arm band which will be worn on Election Day. He therefore cautioned the public to disregard any individual or group who will present themselves as security personnel if they do not have all stated uniforms.
He was quick to add the presence of CID personnel who will also be in customized outfit with ‘CID’ printed behind. Nonetheless, he said some CID personnel may not be in the stated uniform but will have an identification card to prove their identity.
The Inspector-General of Police also mentioned that the 6,174 flashpoints marked by his outfit have been adequately catered for in terms of security. He said special attention will be paid to these polling stations to ensure a smooth electoral process.
