We’ll update media hourly on election day – Charlotte Osei

The Electoral Commission (EC), has said that as part of efforts to deepen transparency and accountability, it will brief the media on hourly basis on election day, December 7. The Commission’s Chairperson, Madam Charlotte Osei, who announced this, says the Commission’s website and social media platforms, will also be used effectively in churning out vital ...

The Electoral Commission (EC), has said that as part of efforts to deepen transparency and accountability, it will brief the media on hourly basis on election day, December 7.

The Commission’s Chairperson, Madam Charlotte Osei, who announced this, says the Commission’s website and social media platforms, will also be used effectively in churning out vital information.

Her comment comes days after the EC  took down its website ahead of the polls, raising questions as to whether the recently launched site had been hacked.

But speaking in an interview with the BBC’s Akwasi Sarpong, the EC Chair clarified that, the Commission is devising measures to ensure that, Ghanaians do not encounter technical challenges in their bid to asses the website during the election.

“We are working on that. We are increasing the bandwith; and we need to look at the capacity again to take care of the kind of interest we are getting and also the kind of the data we will be getting.”

She further revealed that, the EC will also ensure a very robust communication process that will update Ghanaians on the latest developments as far as the elections are concerned.

“The plan is that, we are going to have a very robust communication process going on.There will be at least hourly updates to the media of what is going on, which results have come in. If there are any challenges, we will inform the public ahead of those challenges; but at least we will be having hourly briefings with the media.”

Election results to be announced in 42 hours

Asked how long it will take for the EC to release election results, Charlotte Osei said :“we are hoping within 42 hours….”

She was however quick to add that, it might go beyond the expected 42 hours to 72, if the results are very close.

“The only reason I can see us going beyond is because, our elections in Ghana tend to be very close. If it is so close , it will be more prudent to stop the counting process to inform everyone, do a total recount and be sure of what we are announcing ….”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

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