The Ghana Police Service has begun massive deployment of 32,000 personnel to strategic locations and installations across the country ahead of a Supreme Court verdict on an historic election dispute. Joy News is learning that 500 men and women were dispatched Friday to strategic locations. Police spokesperson, DSP Cephas Arthur, says the deployment is being done with the court’s judgment on the election petition in mind. The ruling on the case challenging the validity of the declaration of John Mahama as winner of the 2012 elections has been slated for August 29, 2013. There are fears of violence in the immediate aftermath of the verdict and the police are leaving nothing to chance. Special police officers trained to use snipers, help vulnerable persons, embark on rescue missions and also contain mass disorders are part of the massive force. Others will be stationed on highways to direct traffic while amoured vehicles will be seen at strategic locations. DSP Cephas Arthur explains the rationale is to deter miscreants from contemplating mayhem and re-assure law-abiding Ghanaians that the police is up to the task of maintaining law and order. He said a force of this size and security hardware was unprecedented. The security services have in recent times stepped up their preparedness to accommodate any potential violence. Two weeks ago, various divisions of the security services, the police, prisons, immigration officers marched through principal streets. In July this year, the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Alhassan asked the National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu to educate Muslim youth against fomenting trouble after the Supreme Court delivers its verdict in the ongoing election petition. The Inspector General of Police is also expected to pay similar call on the Christian Council of Ghana.