The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) is calling for a restructuring of security arrangements at polling centers during general elections.
A press statement issued by the IEA recommended that “security at the polling station must as far as possible be under the command of the Presiding Officer and security personnel assigned to the polling station on Election Day.”
The IEA further asked the Police to take charge of other election-related security matters outside the polling station.
[contextly_sidebar id=”7NF7lYyboyHZ4zxmGku62SULsqsnKogN”]The IEA said the various security agencies will take charge of general security and prosecute electoral crimes.
“The Security Agencies must take charge of general security and the prosecution of electoral crimes. However, at the polling station, the Presiding Officer must have overall authority and command, including control of security personnel on duty on issues about voting or who has the right to be at the polling station,” it instructed.
It further requested that the EC takes the inititiave to prosecute all electoral offenders in compliance with Section 46 of Act 284 of the Representation of the Peoples Act.
The Act requires that the written consent of the Attorney-General, before prosecution of persons involved in electoral offences should be amended to allow the Police to carry out prosecution of all electoral offences.
It also suggested that the EC guidelines for voter education and electoral offences “must be published and incorporated into the training and education programmes of all election officials.”
Ghana is expected to go to the polls in 2016 to elect the President to lead the nation for a stipulated time period.
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana