The Inspector-General of the Sierra Leone Police, Francis Munu yesterday during a press briefing said that the Police are now ready for the November 17 Elections.
He said that they are almost at the end of the road and are now counting days and minutes to the polling day. In terms of plan execution, the I G said that they are now in the process of implementing their plans for the elections.
He disclosed that their movement up country has already started to ensure that they maintain robust presence of the police in polling stations and also to maintain vehicular patrols in all areas to ensure security. He also said that they are prepared for any unforeseen incident that will occur and that they were able to draw support from other security institutions like the Sierra Leone Prisons Service, National Fire Force, Traffic Warden, Court Security and Metropolitan Police. All of these people, will be seen in the different polling stations and will be paired with their officers. In that same light, he encouraged all to go and cast their ballot peacefully without any violence.
The IG also said that they are happy about the plans so far, and the campaigns have largely been peaceful, although there have been one or two isolated incidents of stone-throwing and intolerance.
Crime rate over the period have also been low, he concluded. On the issue of restricted vehicular movements, he said that the meaning has been misinterpreted in a lot of quarters in the country.
The I.G. said that two vehicles will be allowed per constituency for a political party and also other emergency services will be exempted, as there are exceptions to every rule.
He also reiterated that MAC P has effectively started.
He said that on their own part, they have done everything possible to ensure that the elections go unhindered, and also will give hope to the people that everything will go well.
He also thanked the Press for their support, as this is the last meeting towards the elections and wished them well.
By Nancy Koroma
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