By Gideon Nma Scott, Jr.
Africa-Press – Liberia. The Liberia National Police said it will provide maximum security to all actors, including candidates, party workers, and the general public, for the conduct of a peaceful election come October 10.
The deputy police commissioner of training and manpower development at the Police Academy, Col. Jartu Golafalay, said despite logistical and manpower challenges, the current LNP and other state security actors are upbeat about providing security to all beyond party lines.
“Since UNMIL left, this is our first election as state security forces, and we will cease to have the opportunity to ensure the safety of our clients, the citizenry,” she said.
She made the statement at the closing program of a three day training of trainers on election security management at the Police Academy in Paynesville.
She assured Liberians that the police and other state security actors will apply a human rights based approach while managing the security of the state before, during, and after all electoral processes.
According to the chief police trainer, the police see the election as crucial and will do all in their power to adequately respond to any or all forms of electoral violence.
“There will be no preferential treatment for any candidate or political party. The security of all Liberians is our responsibility, and we will ensure that no one or group of people will use this time to intimidate, harass, or abuse anyone in the name of politics,” she pointed out.
“We are going to perform our role so that we can leave a legacy for the next generation to follow. Fellow participants, we have done it before, and we can do it again,” the chief trainer bragged.
On August 2, over 40 top security officers from the Liberia National Police, Liberia Immigration Service, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, and Liberia National Fire Service completed a three-day Election Security Management Training at the Police Academy in Paynesville.
The training focused on the role of security in mitigating violence and security threats before, during, and after the election.
Participants will cascade the training to junior level security officers in the counties.
In remarks, the country representative of the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, Christian Mukasa, assured Liberians of the commitment of the United Nations and its partners to support all actors, including the NEC, security, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and women and youth groups, for the peaceful conduct of the October general and presidential elections.
“My office and the UN will stand by you and all security forces to make sure that human rights are part of your curriculum,” the OHCHR boss said.
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