The Electoral Commission (EC) has clarified its position on media access to collation centres, stating that an earlier directive was not meant to restrict media participation but to ensure minimum coverage at all constituency and regional collation centres.
The initial directive proposed three TV stations and five radio stations per constituency, and five TV stations and seven radio stations for regional collation centres.
In response to feedback from stakeholders, the EC has increased media accreditation to 4,500. This adjustment represents an additional 1,192 accreditations from the previously suggested minimum of 3,308.
The EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, announced this at a press conference on Friday, November 29, 2024.
Distribution of Accreditation Cards
The Commission stated that all 4,500 accreditation cards would be handed over to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) by Sunday evening. These organizations will oversee the allocation and distribution of the cards, with the EC playing no direct role in this process.
Commitment to Transparency
The EC emphasized that media participation is critical at this stage of the electoral process and reiterated its commitment to working with media stakeholders before, during, and after the December 7 general elections.
While acknowledging space limitations at certain collation centres, the EC reaffirmed its intent to facilitate transparency and inclusivity in the collation of results.
The decision to expand media accreditation reflects the Commission’s effort to address concerns from media practitioners while maintaining efficient operations at collation centres.
Election 2024: EC to allow 8 Media Houses into constituency collation centres
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