The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has reminded Ghanaians that only the Electoral Commission (EC) has the constitutional mandate to announce the outcome of the December 7 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
Madam Cynthia Anima Boadu, the Bono Regional Director of the NCCE who gave the reminder, called on all election stakeholders, particularly the media and the various political parties, to avoid any temptation of declaring or announcing winners of both the presidential and parliamentary polls in December.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani, Madam Boadu said: “all election stakeholders must be patient and endeavour to wait until the EC announce the outcome of the general election,” adding, any “false alarm can create tensions and escalate into election violence that will disturb the peace of the nation.”
Madam Boadu said: “no political party, media or entity has the right to declare who wins or loses the elections except the EC” and advised the media to remain watchful and stand against such pronouncement.
She explained that voting remained a civic right and called on the security agencies to remain professional on election day in order not to intimidate or disenfranchise eligible voters.
Madam Boadu reminded the security agencies that it was their responsibility to protect the electorate and the electoral materials, but not to dictate for the EC officials.
In another interview, Mr Vincent Missah Akwei, a Civic Education Officer of the Commission, advised the electorate to remain disciplined when they go to polls.
GNA