National Peace Depends On Journalist - Says EC

THE ACTING Director of the Public Affairs Department at the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr. Christian Owusu- Parry has emphasized the need for journalists in the country to be circumspect in their reportage rather than attacking people.

According to him, the peace of the country depended on the kind of things journalists report stressing the need for them to cross-check the information they put across.

Mr. Owusu-Parry made the statement at a capacity building workshop for selected media personnel at Cape Coast in the Central region over the weekend.

About 30 participants who attended the workshop were taken through topics such as 'Rationale for Training and the Inbuilt Integrity of Ghana's Electoral Process' as well as 'Procedures on Polling Day' and 'The Role of Critical Stakeholders'.

He expressed concern about how some politicians masterminded double registrations but went round accusing the commission of trying to help others rig the December elections citing an instance where an aspiring MP was arrested for double registration.

He gave the assurance that the commission would come out with a credible voters' register for the December polls to ensure total peace in the country.

“Nobody will manipulate the system; we will provide free, fair and transparent elections so that whoever loses the elections will accept defeat,” he contented.

Mr. Owusu-Parry disclosed that December 2 had been set aside for security officers and EC officials who would be on duty on Election Day to cast their vote calling on journalists who may be observing the elections to put in an application to be considered by the commission.

From Sarah Afful, Cape Coast