Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Dr Ibn Chambas has urged media organisations to be guided by the threat of terrorism in their reportage during the upcoming elections.

Citing the number of people who have died as a result of the just-ended Ivorian electoral violence and Sunday’s massacre in the north of Nigeria, the head of UN office for West Africa and warned media practitioners against hate speech.

He also called for collaboration amongst stakeholders, particularly among political parties and the Electoral Commission to ensure that “ballots are cast without bullets.”

Interacting with news editors to hear their concerns and raise awareness on their role in ensuring peaceful polls, Dr Ibn Chambas said, “The National Commission of Small Arms and Light Weapons have launched the campaign named ‘ballots without bullets,’ I think all editors, media practitioners must champion this campaign.”

“We want Ghana, after December 7, to remain shining, we don’t want hear any sounds of bullets,” he said.

Among others, concerns were raised about political ownership of media houses and deployment of security forces where the UN Representative said ownership of Media houses should be based on strict compliance of constitutional provisions.

On security deployment, he lists what he describes as principles to be adhered to, adding, people ought to be patient and follow security regulations.

On his part, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) said Ghana must not feel immune to electoral violence despite its past success and the media should lead that course.