Hand over your weapons to police – IGP to MPs’ bodyguards ahead of Assin North by-election
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare has directed all bodyguards of members of Parliament (MPs) and other state officials who will be in Assin North on Tuesday to hand over their weapons.
He issued the directive on Monday, June 26 after the crunch meeting between the police and executives of the political parties contesting in the by-election.
According to Dr Dampare, they are not to carry any weapon to the polling or collation centres.
He, therefore, instructed them to submit the weapons to the armourer of the nearest police station within the Assin North Constituency.
Alternatively, they are also to submit the weapons to the Police Election Command Centre at Assin Breku.
“Bodyguards are not to carry their side arms (pistol) to polling stations and collation centres. Such weapons can only be collected after the election and upon specific directives to do so,” he further directed.
In a correspondence to the bodyguards, he added that failure to do so will attract punishment from the police force.
“Punitive action shall be taken against anyone who disregards this instruction or fails to comply with this directive issued by the Inspector General of Police.”
The IGP arrived in Assin North on Monday to assess the security preparedness in the area for the by-election scheduled for tomorrow June 27, 2023.
While on the tour, the IGP met with executives from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The meeting was aimed at fostering communication and collaboration between the police force and the political parties to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.
Both parties used the opportunity to present their expectations and also addressed other pressing issues regarding the process.
Some of the issues discussed were security arrangements, the prevention of electoral malpractices, and the role of law enforcement in maintaining a conducive atmosphere for fair elections.