Declaration of election results not duty of media — VR EC Director
The declaration of election results is still the sole responsibility of the Electoral Commission (EC) and not the duty of the media.
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The media should, therefore, focus on countering fake news, misinformation and disinformation in the countdown to the 2024 general elections, in the broader national interest.
The Volta Regional Director of the EC, Kofi Dzakpasu said this in Ho last Tuesday at a day’s training for about 25 journalists selected from various media houses in the Volta Region on ‘Enhancing media capacity for fact-based reporting and countering elections-related misinformation and disinformation.
The programme was organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
Pillar of democracy
Mr Dzakpasu also made it clear political parties had no business declaring their own election results.
He said elections were one of the pillars of democracy and commonly accepted means of legitimising governance institutions.
However, elections in Ghana had always been characterised by tensions, suspicion, and mistrust, leading to confrontations which threatened stability before, during and after the elections.
The regional EC director pointed out that a democratic election was impossible without the media, since they were essential to democracy.
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He said in the 2024 elections, the media had critical roles to play by promoting public debate and educating citizens on the electoral processes, and monitoring the level of integrity of the processes, and informing the public accordingly.
Media’s role
Mr Dzakpasu maintained the success of the 2024 elections would depend on the strict adherence to the laid down rules and regulations in place, and the understanding of the processes by the electorate and their ability to participate in it.
“The role of the media, both state-owned and private, is very important in ensuring free, fair and transparent election,” he added.
Mr Dzakpasu explained the media being the main channel of educating the electorate or the general public, must be well informed on the electoral processes, impartial and balanced in election coverage, and must not present stories and programmes to favour one particular candidate or political party.
Agenda setting
The Institutional Development, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager of MFWA, Daniel Kwame Ampofo Adjei said it was important the media set the agenda for discussions on the elections with sound knowledge and avoid the use of inflammatory language on air.
The training topics included: Approaches demarcation/delimitation of electoral boundaries, Registration of eligible voters, Recruitment and training of temporary officials, and Publicity and voter education.
Others are Nomination of candidates, Printing of notice of poll and ballot papers, Election Day activities, and Post-Election activities.