The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has urged media organizations to refrain from announcing the results of the 2024 general elections before the official declaration by the Electoral Commission (EC).

This caution was given by Albert Arhin, National Coordinator of CODEO, during an interview with Citi FM on Tuesday, September 10.

Mr Arhin stressed that the premature release of election results by media outlets could trigger confusion and possible unrest among the public.

He emphasized that while CODEO often receives preliminary results, they withhold this information to respect the official procedures set by the EC.

“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,” Mr. Arhin stated.

He further explained that, through Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT), CODEO can predict election outcomes but keeps this information confidential.

Mr Arhin also reminded the media of their responsibility in safeguarding the credibility of the electoral process. He pointed out that only the EC has the legal mandate to declare the results, and any violation of this could damage public trust in the election system.

While acknowledging the critical role the media plays in promoting democracy, Arhin underscored the need for patience, asking media houses to wait for the official announcement before broadcasting any results.

By adhering to these guidelines, CODEO hopes to ensure a smooth and credible electoral process, free of unnecessary tensions during the 2024 elections.