The Upper East Regional Police Command has identified 949 polling stations out of 1,222 in the 15 constituencies of the Upper East Region as hotspots for election violence.
Upper East Regional Police Commander, DCOP Simon Yao Afeku disclosed this at a media engagement organized by the Upper East Regional Media Advisory Committee in Bolgatanga.
Mr. Afeku said, the identified flash points in the region will help the security agencies and the Electoral Commission in the planning and deploying logistics and human resource for a peaceful election.
He said, although the police see the over 1000 polling station as potential flash points, the 949 identified flash point polling stations have real threats of election violence which could be triggered by ethnic, religious, chieftaincy and land issues among others.
“These flashpoints we are talking of, in planning of course, the security must be abated on the social environment so as to be able to preside over a peaceful elections by adopting proactive strategies to avert any electoral conflict or violence during electioneering times and beyond.”
Mr. Afeku further added that, his outfit together with other security agencies have gone through series of election related trainings to ensure a peaceful elections in the region.
He warned that, the formation or existence of vigilante groups are illegal.
He reiterated that, it was unlawful for political parties to be seen holding voters to either vote or carryout political activity in areas they deem as strongholds.
“Areas where there are limited or no mobile network people can take advantage of that to perpetrate election related crime.”
Mr. Afeku affirmed that, the security agencies were poised with the available logistics to nip election related crime in the bud and bring perpetrators to book.
He said, the police and other stakeholders have initiated mechanism to educate the youth and communities where there are chieftaincy and land disputes on lawful of voters on election day and the consequence thereof.
“There are also engagements with political parties to uphold and adhere to the political parties Act and the rules of engagement for the general elections.”
Mr. Afeku impressed on journalists and media practitioners to be circumspect in their reportage, check their facts from the appropriate institutions and consider the national interest of Ghana in ensuring a peaceful election.
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By: Frederick Awuni/Citifmonline.com/Ghana