Journalists urge to promote peaceful election 2016
 
As part of its efforts to promote peaceful elections in the November 7, polls, the Electoral Commission has begun sensitizing stakeholders who play key roles in the country’s electoral dispensation. 

Considering the fact that the Media landscape play a pivotal role in ensuring peaceful elections in the country by disseminating well defined credible information to the entire citizenry, the EC have been engaging personnel in the Inky Fraternity with programs that will enhance their reportage on Electoral exercises such as voting and limited registration. 

At separate meetings in the regions series of workshops for the personnel are underway with participating personnel being encouraged and conscientized to conform to ethical values in their reportage. 

GBC’s Correspondents Freda Abban and Ali Biiya Mukusah participated in the workshop and has come through with the following report.

The Brong Ahafo Edition of the sensitization and capacity building workshop for Media practitioners on Limited Voter Registration exercise and election reportage took place at Abesim near Sunyani. 

It saw massive participation of about 45 media practitioners drawn from the state broadcaster and private media houses in region. 

The workshop was held under the theme: “Building the Capacity for Media Practitioners in Election Reporting and Highlights of C.I 91”. Setting the pace for the main agenda to roll, the Brong-Ahafo Director of Electoral Commission (EC), George Gyabaah, echoed the need for personnel in the Media to be circumspect in their reportage. 

He cited sensationalism, bias reportage, inaccuracies in information gathering such as facts exaggeration and reporting with speed without facts crosschecking as practices that must be avoided in order not to disturb the peace that the country is currently enjoying. 

Mr. Gyabaah however cautioned the personnel to collectively take a common stand towards ensuring decorum in the media landscape.  

Mr. Gyabaah further called on the media to partner with the Commission in its quest to sensitize, educate and inform the general public on its activities outlined for this year's Election, especially the Limited Voter Registration exercise which is fast approaching. 

Taking his turn after the regional director, the Regional Commissioner of EC, Ebenezer Aggrey Fynn took the participants through topics such as the role of the media before, during and after elections. 

He threw more lights on the provisions stipulated in C .I. 91 and called for adherence. 

The CI 91 provides that prospective voters can use passport, a driver’s license, a national identification card or an existing voter identification card to qualify as a Ghanaian to be registered. 

The National Health Insurance card has been dropped as a result of the Supreme Court ruling against its use as a form of identification by a citizen of the country. 

Mr. Aggrey Fynn advised the media to desist from declaring Election results saying, it is a sole responsibility of the Electoral Commission as it is mandated by law to do so. 

He called for good collaboration between EC and media to enhance accurate reportage. 

Mr. Fynn entreated those who turn 18 years to participate in this year Limited Voter Registration exercise. 

In an open forum, the participants took turns to air their views on pressing issues peculiar to election reporting.

They pledged immense support towards ensuring violence free elections through accurate, balanced and fair reporting. 


GBC