We’re engaging GJA, GIBA on collation centre access – EC
EC Responds to Media Concerns Over Limited Access to Collation Centres
The Electoral Commission (EC) has addressed concerns raised by media organizations following a directive limiting media access to its constituency and regional collation centres during the 2024 general elections.
The directive, which caps the number of media outlets allowed at collation centres, has drawn criticism from stakeholders over its potential impact on transparency and inclusivity.
In a memo to its district and regional staff, the EC outlined that only eight media outlets would be accredited at constituency collation centres, with 12 permitted at regional centres. The restrictions, according to the EC, aim to ensure orderliness and a peaceful environment during the collation process.
Amid the pushback, the EC announced on Wednesday, November 27, that it is engaging the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) to address the concerns raised.
“As a listening Commission, we are engaging with the leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) on the issue and trust that we will arrive at an arrangement that is both workable and acceptable,” the Commission stated.
The EC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, highlighting that media access would still be granted to constituency, regional, and national collation centres.
However, it emphasized the need to maintain order and ensure the smooth collation of results, stating, “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.
“In doing so, the Commission is mindful of the need to ensure an orderly and peaceful process at all the Collation Centres, hence the quotas on the number of persons who can access the Collation Centres at any given time.”
The EC expressed optimism that its discussions with GJA and GIBA would result in a mutually acceptable arrangement, ensuring media partners can effectively carry out their duties without disrupting the collation process or compromising the integrity of the elections.
Media stakeholders are keenly watching for the outcome of these engagements, as the directive remains a topic of heated debate in the lead-up to the elections.
