Jean Mensa and Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor
The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has issued a stern warning to the Electoral Commission over its plans to restrict media access of the collation process for the 2024 general elections.
According to the lawmaker, in a post on X on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, the Electoral Commission, which oversees the electoral process in the country, has no power or authority to limit or restrict media houses from covering the elections.
He explained that elections are public events, and as such, media personnel have the right to cover them to inform and educate the public about the proceedings.
Dafeamekpor, who is also a legal practitioner, cited how the EC’s actions contradict the laws enshrined in the constitution, which guarantees media freedom and independence in the country.
Describing the act as unlawful, Dafeamekpor cautioned the EC not to initiate a process that they will be unable to defend or justify with legal grounds in court.
“The EC has no power to limit or prevent any media house from covering a public event or activity. Article 162(1) guarantees the freedom & independence of the Media in this country. There is no provision in CI 127 that mandates the EC to limit media coverage of Public Elections to only a select few media outlets.
“Finally, which criteria will guide the EC to select the so-called 8 media stations? EC pls don’t start something you can’t defend in law,” he wrote.
Background
Dr. Bossman Asare, a Deputy Chair of the Electoral Commission, explained that the decision to limit media access is aimed at creating a conducive environment for the collation process on December 7.
He explained that the decision was made to prevent overcrowding at the regional collation centers, and assured that the Electoral Commission will inform the various media houses and observers in the coming days.
Justifying the commission’s decision, Dr. Asare explained that party agents for each candidate contesting the presidential and parliamentary elections and EC officials overseeing the collation will be present.
He emphasised that limiting media access to 12 outlets will help maintain a manageable number of individuals, thereby preventing potential chaos.
Read Dafeamekpor’s full post below:
EC has no Power to Limit or Prevent Media Houses from direct Coverage of Public Elections.
1. The EC has just announced that only 8 Media Stations (3 TV Stations and 5 Radio Stations) will be allowed at Constituency collation centres, and all other Media Stations will take…
— Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Esq. MP. (@etsedafeamekpor) November 27, 2024
MAG/AE
