Upper East Regional Minister, Tangoba Abayage has instructed Heads of the various security agencies in the region not to allow security officers who report to duty under the influence of alcohol to guard the polls on the day of election.
The Regional Minister said such officers are likely to foment trouble and will not be in the right frame of mind to carryout their duties if they are allowed to man the elections, hence her directive.
In a speech delivered on her behalf at the 75th Remembrance Day Celebration in Bolgatanga, Madam Abayage charged Heads of the security agencies to ensure quick replacement of any officer who will report to duty at a polling station under the influence of alcohol in order to maintain and law order at the centers and protect the ballots.
She also urged personnel of the security agencies to be of good conduct in the upcoming election since their role in the polls is significant in ensuring a peaceful election.
“Any officer who reports at the polling center drunk must be quickly replaced before they create more trouble for us. How can you be intoxicated and be able to deter trouble makers?” she squeezed.
“I, therefore, wish to use this rare opportunity to charge commanders to tell their officers to be disciplined before, during and after the election because your contribution to a peaceful election is key,” she said.
There have been concerns about the conduct of personnel of security agencies in elections following the violence that characterized the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election.
The by-election turned bloody after security personnel stormed one of the polling centers and allegedly opened fire at people at the center believed to be members of the opposition National Democratic Congress.
Flagbearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama has since criticized the government for allegedly infiltrating the security agencies with party hoodlums and militias.
At the signing of a peace pact, on Friday, December 4, 2020, between the two leading presidential candidates ahead of the election, John Dramani Mahama said the failure of the Akufo-Addo to sanctioned perpetrators of the violence raises doubts about the government’s ability to ensure a peaceful election.
While describing the incident as the darkest day in the country’s history, he accused the government of refusing to adhere to an intervention by the Peace Council to ensure peace in subsequent elections after the by-election violence.
