The Electoral Commission is engaging media stakeholders following its directive to accredit a handful of media houses at the regional and constituency collation centres to monitor proceedings.
In seeking names of reporters for the necessary accreditation ahead of the election, the commission had asked its regional collation centres to select twelve media outlets while constituency collation centres were to limit their media presence to eight.
The announcement generated criticism from the press who questioned the criteria upon which the selection was going to be made to accredit the “credible media houses”.
However, the Electoral Commission has expressed openness to take a second look at its directive and will engage the Ghana Journalists Association and others to arrive at a favourable decision to all stakeholders.
“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,” the statement signed by its Deputy Chair, Samuel Nettey said.
The EC also explained the reasoning behind the quota system, saying it will “ensure an orderly and peaceful process at all the Collation Centres”.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Mitchell Asare Amoamah
