Election 2012: We’re thinking outside the box – Gbevlo-Lartey

The National Security Coordinator, Lt. Col. (Rtd) Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, has assured Ghanaians all the security agencies will be on high alert before, during and after the December 7 elections because nothing could be taken for granted.
Speaking at a public forum on election security ahead of the general polls on Tuesday, Lt. Col. Gbevlo-Lartey said his outfit has to “think outside the box to run a peaceful election” because “situations have changed” since the last five elections.
He said national security had to be “pre-emptive” before they are taken by any surprise during this crucial test of Ghana’s democracy, and has liaised with the Electoral Commission of Ghana to ensure the existing peace prevails after the polls.
“We’re doing anything to ensure we have a successful election,” Lt. Col. Gbevlo-Lartey said at a forum organised by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre.
He noted that “this whole election is like a military campaign. We are looking up to the electoral commissioner, and the security agencies are just complementing his efforts.”
He gave the electoral body the assurance national security is ready to assist in carrying out a very successful and peaceful election from the district, regional to national levels. “The Electoral Commissioner will decide the what and we [security] will decide the how.”
Lt. Col. Gbevlo-Lartey suggested the creation of district and regional security committees across the country that could be headed by senior electoral commission officers to oversee general security arrangements during the polls.
By Citifmonline.com/Ghana