949 flash points have been identified out of 1,222 polling stations in the Upper East Region, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Simon Afeku, has disclosed ahead of 2016 general elections.
He made this disclosure at a one-day media engagement organized by the Regional Media Advisory Committee Wednesday to educate the media on the need to help in maintaining the relative peace the region has enjoyed over the years before, during and after elections.
DCOP Afeku noted that although they (The Police) have earmarked 949 places as flash points, the unpredictable human nature does not rule out other places which have not been earmarked in order to overcome unforeseen circumstances.
“All other polling stations are potential flash points to us in the security. Because human attitudes is the most unpredictable. You can earmark this place as flash point but it will not happen there, it will take another dimension all together at a different point. All other polling stations are potential flash points.”
He however noted that the police will be working with other stakeholders but mentioned that society in general has a moral and legal responsibility to support police or security at protecting electoral process that will be carried out.
DCOP Afeku indicated that the police have fashioned out a strategy to address all problems on the day of elections saying “As we plan for flash points we do not leave out the non-flash points because it is difficult to predict human behavior. We provide general security, a three tier mode. We have the polling station distribution where one person is to a non-flash point and two police personnel to a flash point and in addition to that we have mapped out the various areas where we have quick response teams and patrol teams. The third phase is the standby team that if things go out of hands then we draw in the standby team.”
He promised that the police in performing its duty will exhibit an apolitical character and will not exhibit prejudice against any political party or take part in polling station administration.
DCOP Afeku called on the press to be vigilant in order to make public individuals who have decided to foment trouble in order to put them to book to serve as a deterrent to others.
By: Offei-Akoto Ayeh/A1RADIOONLINE.COM/LIVE
