President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Dr Roland Affail Monney, has made a strong case for members and journalists across the country, to be included in the ‘Early Voting’ process prior to General Elections in Ghana.

‘Early Voting’– sometimes referred to as ‘Special Voting’ – are conducted days before parliamentary and presidential elections for officers of the Electoral Commission (EC) and security agencies who work on days of election. Media professionals, prior to the 2012 Elections, were also part of the ‘Early Voting’.

However, a Constitutional Instrument (CI), CI 75, barred the media and election observers from taking part in the ‘Early Voting’. Even those to be considered for ‘Early Voting’ had to apply to the EC 42 days prior to elections, according to the new law.

Dr Affail Monney contended that in calling for electoral reforms as a result of the revelations during the Election Petition - which challenged results of the presidential elections - GJA wants journalists to be included in early voting "to ensure transparency of our elections".

The GJA President was speaking at the 18th GJA Awards held at the State Banquet Hall in Accra on Saturday.

Journalists are to blame

Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC) Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere put the blame on the doorstep of media professionals, adducing that while they were busily engaged in discussing the 45 new constituencies added by letter of the CI, journalists lost sight of the law's exclusion of them from 'Early Voting'.

He advised journalists to be professional in the discharge of their duties, admonishing them to always uphold their role as the fourth estate of the realm. Ambassador Blay-Amihere’s advice was stressed upon by the Chief Justice, Justice Georgina Theodora Woode, who was the Guest Speaker.

Speaking on the theme: “Promoting Healthy Partisanship and Fruitful Partnership in Governance: The Role of the Media”, Chief Justice Wood bemoaned the discussion that erupted after the Supreme Court had delivered verdict on the Election Petition.

A few days after the Election Petition verdict, discussions shifted from the letters of the judgement to some of the justices being accused of voting on the petition with political colours.

“[It] was so unfortunate,” she said. “This is a most dangerous and unhealthy activity. It does not promote national unity and cohesion. “It perpetrates animosity,” Justice Wood stressed.