The Electoral Commission (EC) has taken significant steps to enhance media access during the forthcoming 2024 elections in a bid to bolster transparency and accountability within the electoral process. In a press release dated December 2, the EC announced that media personnel accredited to cover polling stations will also be allowed access to constituency and regional collation centers. This adjustment aims to provide media outlets with greater flexibility and facilitate comprehensive coverage of the elections, ensuring that critical information is readily available to the public. Benjamin Bano-Bioh, the Director for Electoral Services, emphasized the EC’s commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability, stating that the revised media accreditation reflects the need for effective election oversight through adequate media presence.
This change is a direct response to consultations with media professionals who expressed the need for improved access during the electoral process. The EC’s move is indicative of its role in promoting an environment where the media can effectively report on the elections, thereby enhancing public trust in the electoral system. The statement released by the EC reiterated the importance of media coverage in the electoral process and underscored the Commission’s dedication to facilitating such access. By allowing accredited media personnel to venture beyond polling stations and gather insights from collation centers, the EC aims to foster a more informed electorate.
Despite the positive response to the new media accreditation policy, prior arrangements outlined in a memo from the Deputy Chairman of Operations on November 25 faced significant public backlash. This memo detailed guidelines stipulating that only eight media houses would be accredited per constituency collation center, while regional centers would be restricted to 12 media houses—comprising six television stations and seven radio stations. The restrictive nature of this preliminary guideline raised concerns among media professionals and organizations about equitable access and the potential for influencing coverage.
The backlash illustrated a critical point of contention: the perceived limitations on media freedom and accessibility, which could hinder the role of the press in providing balanced election coverage. Many media representatives argued that such constraints could result in limited perspectives and reduced transparency in reporting the electoral process. Consequently, the EC’s revised approach, which opens up access to regional and constituency collation centers for accredited media, seeks to address these concerns and promises a more inclusive media presence during the elections.
The announcement also indicated that details regarding access to the National Collation Centre would be provided in the future, suggesting that the EC is in the process of strategizing its final operational plans for media involvement. The commitment to later communication may help alleviate any lingering concerns among journalists about their ability to report effectively during the election’s culminating phase. The transparency of the electoral process, facilitated by informed media coverage, is vital in ensuring public confidence in the democratic system.
Overall, the EC’s efforts to enhance media access serve as a vital step toward ensuring a transparent and accountable electoral process in the upcoming 2024 elections. By revising its accreditation policy and responding to the needs of media professionals, the EC has opened up avenues for broader scrutiny and reporting on elections, which ultimately strengthens democracy. As the announcement indicates a willingness on the part of the EC to listen to media concerns and adapt accordingly, it sets a progressive tone for the electoral landscape and the role of the press within it.
