Election 2024: MFWA Calls for EC to Lift Media Access Restrictions at Collation Centres

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to reconsider its decision to limit media access to collation centres during the 2024 general elections.

The MFWA argues that restricting media presence could undermine the transparency and accountability of the electoral process, which heavily depends on the media’s role in providing oversight.

In a directive issued to its regional directors, the EC outlined that only eight media organisations would be accredited to cover activities at constituency collation centres. This allocation includes three television stations, each with two personnel, and five radio stations, each with one representative.

For regional collation centres, access will be granted to 12 media outlets: five television stations with two personnel per station, and seven radio stations with one representative each.

Dr. Eric Bossman Asare, Deputy Chairperson of the EC, defended the decision, stating that the restrictions were meant to ensure a smooth collation process.

“In the Commission’s view, limiting the number of media houses to eight at the constituency level and twelve at the regional level is a reasonable approach,” he explained.

However, the MFWA remains critical of the decision, arguing that it could restrict comprehensive media coverage and damage public trust in the electoral process.

Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the MFWA, expressed his concern during an interview in Accra. He questioned why other forms of media, such as newspapers and online platforms, were excluded from the accreditation list.

“Since when did media coverage become limited to just radio and television? This decision is misguided and should be reversed,” he said.