Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, has criticised the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for ordering all police bodyguards of MPs to surrender their weapons to the nearest police station in Assin North ahead of the by-election.
The directive, according to the IGP, is one sure way of ensuring a calm election on Tuesday, June 27.
Dafeamekpor, speaking to journalists in Assin North, said the IGP had no power to issue such a decree because it was unlawful.
“Bodyguards attached to MPs are part of their service conditions.” The IGP has no authority to change a serving MP’s terms of service, just as he has no authority to change his power to vary the conditions of service of a superior court judge in this republic.”
“So for him to issue a statement and say that Police bodyguards of MPs should surrender their weapons to the nearest Police Station is unlawful and unconstitutional,” he stated.”
Dafeamekpor described the directive as an attempt to intimidate and harass MPs, and he urged the IGP to rescind it immediately.
The IGP’s directive has been welcomed with diverse reactions. Some have argued that it is a necessary precaution to ensure a calm election, while others have called it unlawful.
