Accra: The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has implemented stringent security measures ahead of its regional executive elections, prohibiting contestants from bringing bodyguards or large groups of supporters to the voting centers. This initiative aims to ensure a smooth and orderly election process.
According to Ghana Web, Ebenezer Doku, a member of the NPP Greater Accra Regional Elections Committee, announced that a significant police presence would be in place to safeguard delegates and maintain order. "The police are there to give everyone protection, so we expect to have a very peaceful election," Doku stated. He further emphasized the active role of the Tema Regional Police Commander, Mr. Asiedu, in overseeing security, with 400 police officers deployed to manage the 700 delegates expected.
Doku reiterated the call for contestants to refrain from bringing personal security or large entourages. "We want to have a very peaceful election, and so we're asking the contestants that they should not come with bodyguards," he noted, stressing the potential issues with candidates having followers within the inner perimeter of the election centers.
The regional elections, covering all 16 regions, serve to elect executives who will guide the NPP at the regional level for the next four years. To prevent overcrowding and disturbances, the elections committee has limited the number of individuals accompanying candidates. "We are giving all aspirants a minimum of three observer accreditations, so that you can have one or two people following you, but certainly not a crowd," Doku explained.
He highlighted that large groups accompanying candidates have previously led to disruptions at election sites. "Some of these people, when they follow, are those who create the problems for us at our various election centres," Doku remarked. He appealed to both contestants and their supporters to adhere to the security arrangements for a peaceful election process.