AEI cautions police to be professional in operations 

The African Electoral Institute (AEI) has expressed concern over the arrest and detentio of a parliamentary candidate in Ghana, urging the police to be more professional in their operations.

Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, the National Democratic Congress candidate for Awutu Senya East, was arrested and detained by the police on June 7, sparking concerns about the motive behind the arrest.

The AEI says the police should have issued a statement explaining the reasons for the arrest, rather than leaving the public to speculate.

“The police should be fair but firm in their duties, and avoid any actions that could be seen as political interference,” the AEI said.

The institute also warned against politicizing the police, saying it could undermine their effectiveness.

Below is the full statement

“PRESS RELEASE
TO: ALL MEDIA HOUSES
DATE: 10TH JUNE, 2024
FROM: THE ELECTORAL SECURITY DESK OF AFRICAN ELECTORAL INSTITUTE (AEI)

*THE POLICE MUST BE CONSCIENTIOUS IN THEIR OPERATIONS.*

The African Electoral Institute (AEI) has viewed the   arrest and detention of the National Democratic Congress Parliamentary Candidate for Awutu Senya East-  Phillis Naa  Koryoo Okunor by the Police and matters arising very worrying .

The Institute believes that State Institutions must be allowed to work freely without any underhand dealings or interference by any one, not even the appointing authority to keep our country safe for all of us to live in safety without fear of intimidation.

Just as the African Electoral Institute believes that state institutions must be given the free hand to operate, it equally believes that the Police in the conduct of their lawful duties should exhibit immense professionalism and candor. The action(s) of the Police should be measurable to the alleged offence to prevent or ensure that no other meanings are read into their operations.

It is in this light that the African Electoral Institute sees the way and manner the Police handled the arrest of the Parliamentary Candidate as undesirable especially so because they failed to carry the public along by maybe issuing a press statement in that regard to let Ghanaians  and her supporters know what offence was occasioned to warrant the arrests or what she is being held for thereby leaving many  Ghanaians in the realms of speculation.

AEI wishes to point out that the current political temperature  is heating up and this should let the Police adopt more strategic,  tactical, and effective ways of going about their duties without suspicion from any quarters to suggest that they are doing the bidding of anyone to the disadvantage of another.

The African Electoral Institute equally wants to admonish all well-meaning Ghanaians to desist from putting political colours on the activities or operations of the police since such acts make the  work of the Police difficult and de-motivating.

AEI adds that it is very important for the Police to do their work with utmost professionalism.

The Police must be seen to be fair but firm in the discharge of their duties to underscore their motto, which is:  “Service with Integrity.”

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