We have accredited over 6,000 journalists with unrestricted access to voting centres – Jean Mensa

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa has announced that the Commission has accredited over 6,000 journalists to cover the early voting as well as the December 7 elections.

She said the EC worked closely with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) to complete the process.

“To date, we received a little over 6,000 photographs and we have provided accreditation for 6,000 journalists. Tomorrow the Ghana Journalists Association will pick them up and distribute,” Mrs Mensa revealed at a press conference on November 29.

Earlier, the Commission announced that only radio and TV stations would be allowed to cover activities at the collation centres. This was contained in a memo addressed to all regional directors.

It specified that only eight media houses will be granted access per constituency collation centre. At the regional collation centres, only 12 media houses will be granted access. The memo originated from the office of the Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey.

This attracted huge backlash from various stakeholders such as the GJA and Media Foundation for West Africa. Subsequently, the Commission announced that it is working with the GJA to address the issue.

At the press conference, Mrs Mensa said journalists will be granted unfettered access to all voting centres.

“…it is important to emphasise that the Commission has not restricted media houses to any of our centres. If the media presents one million people, we are prepared to accredit one million people to ensure that your lenses are in every corner of our centres. So, we entreat you to go back to your respective media houses, the GJA will ensure that they are given to you before Monday. The remaining 850 or so will be made available tomorrow,” she assured.

EC must give media unfettered access to all levels of voting and collation of ballots – GJA