EC to devise security against social media and fake news

The Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) has expressed the need for electoral management bodies (EMBs) to put in place security measures that will ensure elections are free and fair.

Of major concern is the need for security measures to be put in place against the use of social media and fake news for mischievous purposes during electoral purposes, EC Chair Jean Adukwei Mensah, said in Accra.

Speaking at the 17th International Electoral Affairs symposium in Accra Monday, Mrs. Mensa outlined among other things to be discussed the security of elections.

“We’ll also discuss the issue of security around our electoral processes, we will reflect on how to tighten security right from our registration processes to election day activities through to the declaration of results,” she said.

“In an era of social media and fake news, what security systems can we put in place to counter the activities of mischief makers and scaremongers?” she asked.

She also noted that due to the expensive nature of Ghana’s elections, the country usually falls on its development partners for support, something she said did not ensure independence.

Mrs. Mensa, thus, said it is the priority of the new leadership of the Commission to ensure value for money in everything that is done because it will not want to be associated with running expensive elections. She bemoaned previous elections have been expensive.

$12 spent on each voter in 2016 general elections expensive – EC boss The symposium is being organized by the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies (ICPS), UK, in collaboration with the Electoral Commission of Ghana and the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) under the theme, ‘Building innovative strategies for better Electoral Systems globally”.

Over 100 participants from 50 countries worldwide are in attendance to share innovative ideas and strategies that they can put into practice in their respective countries and regions.