Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has directed provincial police commissioners to allow political parties to campaign freely for the upcoming by-elections in some parts of the country.
In statement today, Kanganja called on police pommissioners in all provinces where by-elections were scheduled to take place to inform regulating and all other officers under their command not to block any political party from preparing for elections.
“In view of the forthcoming by-elections scheduled to take place in some parts of the country, I have directed all police commissioners in provinces with impending by-elections to allow political parties to conduct their preparatory meetings and campaigns freely but in line with the provisions of the Public Order Act (POA) and other pieces of Legislation. Police Commissioners are further advised to inform Regulating Officers and all other officers under their command not to use the provisions of the Preservation of Public Security Act number 112 to impede the forthcoming bye-elections,” Kanganja stated.
Kanganja also urged politicians to abide by the provisions of the Public Order Act and ensure that they notify the police before conducting their campaign activities.
“In the same vein, political parties should ensure that they conduct their activities peacefully and abide by the provision of the Public Order Act which requires them to notify the police on their intended activities as this would enable Police Officers to plan effectively and put in place necessary security measures. Further, I urge Political Party leaders in respective areas to avail their planned activities to relevant regulating officers to enable them plan in advance,” stated Kanganja.
“I wish to bring to the attention of all political party leaders at various levels that it is their responsibility to monitor and regulate the conduct of their members so that such activities can be conducted in a peaceful and violent free environment. I am sending a strong warning to all those that would want to deliberately ignore the provisions of the Law that we shall not tolerate any lawlessness but arrest and prosecute all those found wanting. I wish to remind members of the public that security peace and stability of the nation is a collective responsibility of all citizens of this great nation.”
Meanwhile, Kanganja has assured show goers that he has deployed enough officers to man the premises to safe guard their lives and property.