The Electoral Commission (EC) has initiated discussions with key stakeholders, including the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), following concerns over its decision to limit media access at collation centres during the 2024 elections.
The EC recently issued a directive restricting media coverage, allowing only eight media houses at constituency collation centres and 12 at regional centres. The Commission explained that the decision was made to streamline operations and ensure a more secure environment for the processing of election results.
The memo, addressed to regional directors, has sparked widespread debate, raising questions about its impact on transparency and media freedom.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, the EC reassured the public of its commitment to transparency, while emphasizing the need to balance security and order at the collation centres.
“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 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,” part of the EC statement read.
The EC expressed confidence in reaching an agreement with media stakeholders, ensuring that the 2024 election process remains transparent and credible while addressing logistical and security challenges.
“The Commission is confident that its engagement with the leadership of the GJA and GIBA will lead to acceptable outcomes,” the commission added.
