By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has assured electorate that Police has deployed adequate security to ensure that security is guaranteed on Thursday.
Mr Kanganja has also said that reinforcement from military personnel conducting patrols along side with the police is not in any way meant to scare away or intimidate members of the public.
He said it is a proactive measure put in place to guarantee peace, order and the safety of the citizens and voters at polling stations.
Mr Kanganja said that police will deploy 12,152 police officers in all polling stations across the country one officer per polling station.
He said the numbers are not adequate to meet the international policing standard of one police officer to 250 people.
Mr Kanganja said currently policing ratio stands at 1officer to about 1000 members of the public.
He said that during poll day citizens will see unarmed Zambia police service officers and unarmed military personnel accredited by ECZ to maintain security within the 400 parameters.
The IG has advised that, once the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) closes political campaign activities on Wednesday August 11, 2021 at 18 00 hours, total compliance by all political parties and their sympathisers is expected.
“I’m directing all police officers to be vigilant, alert and firm but fair on the ground and use provisions of the law to deal with law breakers during this period.
“From past elections, it has been noticed that some people tend to alarm the nation by posting alarming and unverified statements on social media as well as posting unverified results. I am warning individuals and groupings with such tendencies that they risk being arrested once found. Police will closely work with ZICTA to ensure that such individuals are caged,” he said.
