EC suspends directive to limit media access at collation centres

The Electoral Commission has suspended its decision to limit the number of accredited media houses allowed at collation centres on December 7.

The Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Bossman Asare, announced the suspension at the “Graphic National Development Series” in Accra on Wednesday.

The decision came after discussions with the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), which had raised concerns.

Dr. Asare assured that further engagement would take place to develop a new policy on media access to collation centres.

He said the original directive was not to restrict media coverage but to manage the process effectively.

“The EC did that because we wanted to prevent chaos at the collation centres…We should not forget that you can be in a particular region and there will be about 400 media houses, and the collation centre may be smaller.

“So, if we want to give unimpeded access to all the media houses, we may end up having challenges…so we issued that statement just to ensure orderliness at the collation centres, and not to restrict the media from reporting on the elections” he noted.

The Commission in a memo dated November 25, 2024, indicated, among others, that eight media organisations would be accredited to cover collation activities in the constituencies.

Dr Asare, speaking at the forum, maintained that the EC would not undermine the role of media in ensuring free and fair elections.

Dr. Bossman Asare stated that the Electoral Commission (EC) aimed to either improve or maintain the 79 percent voter turnout recorded in the 2020 elections.

He assured that the Commission was committed to ensuring a successful election, as it had done in previous years.

The Deputy Commissioner also highlighted the EC’s preparations for the upcoming election and encouraged voters to come out on Election Day to cast their ballots.

“For every registered voter, the Commission has printed a Presidential and Parliamentary ballot for you…so if it means you have to travel to Tamale or any part of the country to vote, please do it…and that will be your civic responsibility as a Ghanaian,” he said

He urged political parties and candidates to educate their agents on the electoral process to help prevent chaos at polling stations.

Dr Asare highlighted collaboration with security agencies to ensure sanity prevailed at the polls, adding that the 2024 elections would “reflect the will of the people” as it had “no interest” in the election.

The Graphic National Development Series was on the theme: “Sustaining Civic & Democratic Governance Systems for Development, Mandate of All Citizens.”

The forum, among other things, aims to build national consensus on issues and influence policy.

Mr. Ato Afful, Managing Director, Graphic Communications Group, emphasised the company’s commitment to promoting civic and democratic governance, and supporting transparent and accountable governance.

Ahead of the December polls, he urged the youth to exercise their civic duty responsibly and encouraged political actors to prioritise the national interest instead of partisan and parochial gains.