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

The EC, in a memo to its regional directors stated that only eight media outlets at each constituency collation centre, which includes three television stations (with two personnel each) and five radio stations (with one representative each).

At the regional collation centres, the EC will grant access to 12 media houses, comprising five TV stations (with two personnel each) and seven radio stations (with one representative each).

However, the MFWA has expressed concern that such restrictions could undermine transparency and accountability during the collation process.

Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the MFWA, during an interview on Channel One TV criticised the directive, noting that it could exclude vital media forms such as newspapers and online publications.

He stressed the need for the EC to reverse its decision, calling it a “misdirected action.”

“Since when did media coverage become just radio and television? what about newspapers, what about online publications?

“So, I think this is a very misdirected action and well as they say better late than never. This is something that I think should be reversed,” he stated.

The foundation has called on the EC to review its position and expand media access to promote trust in the election process.