The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has cautioned media outlets against announcing election results before the Electoral Commission (EC) during the 2024 General Elections. This call was made during the launch of Citi FM and Channel One TV’s coverage plans for the elections, held in Accra.
Albert Arhin, the National Coordinator of CODEO, stressed the importance of maintaining the credibility of the election process. He warned that early announcements by the media could lead to confusion or even unrest among the public.
Arhin explained that, although CODEO may receive results earlier through its processes, it follows protocol by not releasing them. “Through the PVT, we’re able to know who has won the election, but we swear and we keep it to ourselves,” Arhin stated.
He further emphasized the need for media organizations to wait for the EC to officially declare the results, reminding them that the EC is the only institution authorized to do so. Any early declaration, he noted, could undermine public trust in the electoral process.
“It is not necessary. Let the EC come out to declare the results. Let me tell you, CODEO normally gets the results about two days before the EC comes out, but we never tell anybody,” he reiterated.
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