IGP orders all MPs’ bodyguards to hand over weapons ahead of Assin North by-election

The Inspector General of Police(IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has instructed all bodyguards of Members of Parliament (MPs) and other state officials attending the Assin North by-election in the Central Region to surrender their weapons.

The directive, issued less than 24 hours before the polls on Tuesday, prohibits the carrying of rifles by the bodyguards.

This decision follows a crucial meeting between the leadership of the Ghana Police Service, political parties, and the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) on Monday.

During the meeting, which was led by the IGP, the directive was communicated to the bodyguards. They were instructed to hand over their weapons either to the armourer at the nearest police station in the Assin North Constituency or to the Police Election Command Centre in Assin Breku.

The IGP emphasized that the weapons would only be returned after the election upon specific directives. Furthermore, the bodyguards were explicitly instructed not to carry side arms (pistols) to polling stations and collation centers. The IGP warned that punitive action would be taken against those who disregarded or failed to comply with this directive.

The measure to temporarily disarm the bodyguards aims to enhance the security and peaceful conduct of the by-election. By ensuring that firearms are not present at the polling stations and collation centers, potential risks and tensions can be minimized.

The directive underscores the commitment of the Ghana Police Service to maintain a safe environment during the electoral process in the Assin North Constituency.

Source – 3news.com