Security personnel deployed for polls

Page 3: Daily Graphic, December 7, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
SECURITY personnel were on Friday deployed throughout the country to monitor today’s polls and also ensure law and order during and after the polls.
Under security arrangements, unarmed security personnel will be posted to all the polling stations, while armed personnel drawn from the Rapid Deployment Force of the Ghana Police Service and the military will be stationed at vital locations to move in to restore law and order.
The security personnel are not expected to be engaged in the conduct of the elections but to ensure that there is no violence or disruption of the electoral process.
Prior to that, the government had released more than 600 vehicles to beef up what the security agencies already have to augment their operations.
Specialised police units, such as the Rapid Deployment Force, the Armoured Car Squadron, the Mounted Squadron, the Striking Force and multi-purpose vehicles, will be deployed, together with appropriate military contingents, as part of the rapid response strategy.
A rapid response strategy has been designed, with standby forces in place to react promptly to reinforce and contain any crisis situation.
A national simulation exercise, code-named “Exercise Peace Angel”, was undertaken between November 17 and 18, 2008 to test the preparedness and capability of the security agencies in handling polls-related crises during elections.
It was to synchronise operational plans and procedures and rehearse in a bid to integrate the various functions of security groups, task forces and agencies.
A comprehensive communication plan to cover the whole country for the operations of the elections security task force has been put in place. Equipment for the communication strategy includes VHS radios and a national security communications system.
Some of the challenges associated with elections include clashes at political events, disobedience of the Public Order Act, protests, late arrival of election officers and materials, the general conduct of election officers, party agents, voters and campaigning during voting.
Other problems are the hijacking of results/ballot boxes, protests at polling stations and collation centres, inability to trace names, missing voter ID cards of potential voters, preventing minors/aliens from voting, illumination at polling stations and collation centres, poor routes to polling stations, feeding of polling agents, electoral and security officers, as well as transporting election materials to collation centres.
Issues of post-election problems, including protests regarding rejected ballots, signing of results by polling agents after counting, reaction to results, riot and disorder at the swearing-in ceremony, have all been taken care of by the security agencies, which are operating under the National Elections Security Task Force.
Consequently, a three-phase security arrangement had been put in place to ensure a safe and secure environment for peaceful electioneering before election day and thereafter to ensure post-election peace.
The police are playing a leading role, supported by the other security services, with the Ghana Armed Forces taking over from the police to restore law and order when necessary.
Phase I of the security operations, which started on September 8, ended yesterday, a period characterised by intensified political campaigns and preparation/distribution of electoral materials and personnel throughout the country.
Phase II, which starts from today to December 10, will be characterised by the casting of votes, counting of votes/compilation of results, tension and anxiety associated with the elections, recovery of election materials and personnel, announcement of results and possible conflict and violence.
To deal with the security threats associated with Phase II, personnel of the security services will be deployed at all polling stations, escort and protect election officers and materials, as well as maintain and restore law and order at all flash points.
Personnel of the RDFs will be maintained in central positions, monitor situation reports through joint operation rooms, that is, election control centres, maintain close liaison with the Electoral Commission and intensify day and night patrols.
Phase III, which will span the period December 10 to March 10, 2009, will be characterised by the declaration of results/conceding defeat, victory rallies, protests/demonstrations by the defeated, trading of accusations and crowd disturbances, a second round presidential election, if necessary, and the possibility of non-acceptance of election results, albeit limited or general.
The security services are expected to enhance Operation Calm Life, monitor post-election activities, maintain the RDFs and maintain border security in conjunction with other security agencies and the security forces of neighbouring countries.
According to the Interior Minister, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, adequate security measures had been put in place to ensure peace and stability in the country, stressing that “the elections will be free, fair and transparent”.
He said the Ghana Police Service was spearheading the security arrangements, under the aegis of the National Elections Security Task Force, which comprised other security organisations.
He said under the arrangements, the Ghana Armed Forces would only take over from the police to restore law and order when necessary.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said each polling station would be manned by selected members of the security services to ensure incident-free voting.