Electoral Commission Cautions Journalists: Avoid Premature Declaration of Presidential Results

The Electoral Commission (EC) has warned journalists against declaring presidential election results before the official announcement. Mr. Osei Nsiah, Ashanti Regional Director of the EC, emphasized the importance of accurate and responsible reporting to promote peace during the electoral process.

Speaking at a training session for journalists, Mr. Osei stated, “Never declare results when the EC has not verified them. What happens when your results differ from the EC? This could lead to chaos in the country.” He urged journalists to seek clarification from the EC on any issues they encounter, rather than engaging in speculation.

The training, organized by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in collaboration with the EC, aimed to equip journalists with the necessary skills to report on electoral processes responsibly. Mr. Osei also cautioned against the dissemination of “planted” stories by politicians or party followers without proper verification.

This warning comes amidst efforts to ensure peaceful discourse in the media leading up to the 2024 general election. Other organizations, such as the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) and the National Media Commission (NMC), have also cautioned journalists against premature declarations.