EC engages media groups over collation center access restrictions

The Electoral Commission (EC) has addressed concerns regarding media access to collation centres during the upcoming elections, following widespread criticism of a directive limiting the number of accredited media houses.

In a press release on Wednesday, 27th November, the Commission acknowledged receiving feedback from media partners about the quotas outlined in a recent memorandum.

The directive restricted access to twelve (12) media houses at regional collation centres and eight (8) at constituency centres, excluding print and online outlets.

The limitations have drawn criticism from various groups, including the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), which argued that the move could hinder transparency in the electoral process.

However, the EC explained that the restrictions are intended to ensure order and peace at collation centres while emphasising its commitment to transparency.

“The Commission is keen on ensuring the highest level of transparency in its operations, hence the opening up of all its Constituency, Regional, and National Collation Centres to the media,” said Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman for Operations.

Describing itself as a “listening Commission,” the EC announced ongoing engagements with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) to address the concerns.

“We trust that we will arrive at an arrangement that is both workable and acceptable,” the statement added.

The EC expressed confidence that the dialogue with media leaders would yield outcomes that balance transparency with the need for a peaceful and orderly process at collation centres.