Candidates in Ghana’s upcoming Ghana Journalists Association elections have objected to the Election Committee’s introduction of proxy voting, stating they were not consulted before the decision.
In a June 24 joint statement, the aspirants described the move as “undemocratic and detrimental to the transparency of the electoral process,” directly attributing the criticism to their collective position.
“We, the undersigned candidates… write to express our deep concern regarding the issue of proxy voting in a press statement issued by the Election Committee without our knowledge,” the statement read. They asserted that fairness, transparency, and inclusivity require candidate consultation as key stakeholders, sourcing this principle to their official communication.
The candidates stated the unilateral decision “undermines trust in the process” and contradicts democratic values expected of the GJA. They called for immediate suspension of proxy voting, citing precedent from prior association elections. “We have observed a growing trend where major decisions… are being taken without any form of engagement or prior notice to candidates,” they added, quoting their statement.
Additionally, the candidates raised concerns about the voters register’s integrity, characterizing it as “potentially bloated.” They urged the Election Committee to clean the register promptly to protect election credibility. While reaffirming commitment to a peaceful electoral process, they emphasized the need for greater transparency in procedures.
The GJA elections proceed on June 30, 2025, with 13 national and 49 regional candidates contesting leadership positions.
Ghana ranks 50th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders’ 2025 Press Freedom Index, with journalist associations frequently advocating for improved governance standards within media institutions.
