The Electoral Commission (EC) has cautioned media practitioners against unprofessional conduct in the reportage of issues before, during and after the November 7 general elections.
The EC is convinced the constructive role of the media in the electoral process could ensure peaceful elections.
A Deputy Chairman of the EC in charge of operations, Amadu Sulley, gave the caution in Tamale at a day’s capacity building workshop for media practitioners operating in the Northern Region.
Sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the workshop dubbed, “Capacity building for the media in Ghana,” focused on election reportage and highlighted the C.I 91, which was passe by Parliament to regulate the elections.
Amadu Sulley maintained that the success or failure of the 2016 general elections largely depends on media accuracy and objectivity.
“In ensuring credible elections, the media must exercise maximum restraint when covering all processes leading to this year’s general elections.”
Don’t declare election results
He pleaded with the media to refrain from declaring elections results before the EC carries out that constitutional mandate.
Amadu Sulley explained that the C.I 91 sought to implement recommendations by the Supreme Court following the 2012 landmark election petition case.
He said the EC will intensify its collaboration with the media to restore public trust in all its pre-election activities.
He tasked the media to actively participate in the upcoming limited voter registration exercise scheduled for April 28 to May 8.
According to Amadu Sulley, all the registered political parties contesting the 2016 elections will be furnished with provisional copies of the register after the limited voters’ registration exercise.
The limited registration will be followed by exhibition exercise to guarantee transparency, he emphasized.
Northern Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Caesar Abagale admonished the media to be circumspect in their reportage.
He reminded the participants to be neutral and give fair coverage to all the political parties contesting the elections.
Caesar Abagale implored the Electoral Commission to be more transparent in their operations by expanding its communication departments.
Northern Regional Director of the EC, Bruce Ayisi commended Journalists in the region for maintaining a cordial relationship with the commission and promised an open-door policy to journalists in the region in the dissemination of information.
Acting Director of the EC in charge of the Information Technology department, Benjamin Nunoo, reiterated the need for the media to be well informed on the electoral system in order to avoid misleading the electorate.
He said it was critical for the media to understand the EC’s database in relation to the collation, transmission and declaration of election results.
Some of the participants urged the EC to rebuild public trust in its operations.
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/Citifmonline.com/Ghan