A highly-placed source at the Electoral Commission has rejected a call for unfettered access to the Commission’s National Collation Centre, saying it is impractical.

“The National Collation Centre (a.k.a. The Strongroom) has since the 4th Republic been reserved for the political parties, political party officials and accredited observers. The EC decided that, in the interest of transparency, the Media should equally be accredited to be present at the National Collation Centre. “

The response comes in the wake of a demand by a coalition of media groups comprising the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), and the New Media Association of Ghana (NMAG), for unfettered media access to the Commission’s National Collation Centre to enhance transparency and bolster the integrity of the election.

The source however explained that the physical space at the centre, within the Head Office of the Electoral Commission, does not make it possible to allow all media persons in Ghana and foreign media to fit into the limited space.

“The Commission has therefore no choice than to limit the number of local and foreign media accredited to be present at the National Collation Centre from the 7th of December. This has nothing to do with transparency and accountability, as there WILL be media presence at the National Collation Centre at all times.”