Election 2024: EC to Allow Only 12 Media Houses into Regional Collation Centres
The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced new guidelines that restrict media and observer access to collation centres during the 2024 general election, aiming to enhance the security and efficiency of the collation process.
This decision has sparked discussions across the media landscape and among election observers.
Streaming the Collation Process
Under the new guidelines, only eight media houses will be permitted at each constituency collation centre. At the regional collation centres, the EC has set a limit of 12 media houses, comprising five TV stations and seven radio stations.
This measure is intended to streamline the collation process and ensure smooth operations at both constituency and regional levels.
Dr. Eric Bossman Asare, Deputy Commissioner of the EC, provided clarity on the decision during an interview on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, November 26.
He emphasized that the restrictions are based on historical experiences and the nature of the collation centres.
“We arrived at our conclusion based on our history and the nature of the collation centres. If you are not very careful and you don’t manage the centres very well, you may end up having a lot of challenges to deal with,” Dr. Asare explained.
Ensuring Smooth Operations
Dr. Asare further elaborated that the commission believes this arrangement will facilitate a smooth collation exercise at both the constituency and regional levels.
“We are not only reducing numbers for the media, it is something which cuts across. We are making the point that with the eight media houses, let us take a constituency like Banda, Hohoe, or Bantama and you have eight media houses, we think they should be enough to be able to send the information,” he stated.
Reactions
The announcement has elicited mixed reactions from various stakeholders. While some media houses and observers understand the need for a streamlined process, others are concerned about the potential limitations on transparency and comprehensive coverage.
Looking Ahead
As the 2024 general election approaches, the EC’s decision underscores the importance of balancing security and efficiency with transparency and media freedom.
The coming months will reveal how these new guidelines impact the overall election process and media coverage.
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