The Chairperson of the National Media Commission (NMC), Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo, has urged media outlets to uphold their responsibility and avoid overstepping into the role of the Electoral Commission (EC) in announcing presidential election results.
Addressing media practitioners at the "Media Forum on Election 2024," held by the Ashanti Regional Media Advisory Committee in Kumasi on Tuesday, 5 November 2024, Mr.
Ayeboafo highlighted the critical importance of respecting the EC's authority as the sole body mandated to declare final results. "We want to affirm that it is only the Electoral Commission that can declare results," he stated, underscoring the constitutional framework that makes the EC Chairperson the sole returning officer for presidential elections.
He further advised media outlets to avoid rushing to announce premature results, a move he believes could create confusion and raise tensions. "When it happens like that and there is a delay, it is better that we wait rather than rush and publish what we will find out so as not to be validated, and put everybody in danger," he cautioned.