A total of 300 police personnel are to be deployed by the Accra Regional Police Command for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential primaries on Saturday, February 23.
Additionally, special teams (re-enforcement) and supervisory officers would also be on standby at the 26 polling stations including the collation centre at the NDC headquarters in Accra.
The Accra Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Patrick Adusei Sarpong who disclosed this in an interview with the Ghanaian Times in Accra, yesterday stated that the electorate, presidential aspirants, former presidents would have adequate security from the Police.
He said any person or group of people who attempt to snatch ballot boxes or engage the activities of ‘macho men’ to mar the exercise who will be dealt with.
“The Police would deal ruthlessly with any person or group of people who attempts to snatch ballot boxes or mar the peace of the country,” he added
The Commander said no motor cycles, offensive weapons such as guns and knives, would be allowed at the polling centres.
He called on the electorate to collaborate with the Police to ensure peace and stability adding that “desist from fomenting trouble.”
He said the Police was in charge of all the security arrangements at the exercise.
The Commander said the National executives of the party at a meeting with the Police have assured there would not be any internal security from the party, adding that they have reposed their trust into the Police for the smooth progress of the exercise.
DCOP Sarpong assured the executives of maximum protection for all the electorate and other stakeholders who would take part in the operation.
The fate of seven candidates, the highest in the party’s history, hangs on the thumbs of about 270,000 delegates who would vote in the primary to be conducted simultaneously across all 275 constituencies, nationwide.
Former President John Dramani Mahama is making history in the country as the first former president to seek the bid to reclaim the power he lost.
He is third on the ballot and is being challenged by six others including Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and businessman, Alhaji Nurudeen Iddrisu who are first and second respectively on the ballot.
Others are former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority, Sylvester Mensah, fourth; former Minister of Trade and Industry, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, fifth; businessman, Goosie Tanoh, sixth; former Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Professor Joshua Alabi, seventh.
BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI