Eastern Region journalists not happy with Electoral Law

Koforidua, Nov. 15, GNA - Journalists in the Eastern Region have expressed disappointment in the new Electoral law that prevents them from taking part in the special voting that would enable them go about their duties on the election day.     A number of journalists who spoke to the Ghana News Agency in Koforidua following that announcement said the move if not reviewed, would disenfranchise many of them since they would be required to leave to the various constituencies across the region very early to begin their duties.     They contended that if the move was not reversed to allow a special dispensation for media personnel because of the nature of their work then they would have no alternative than choosing to go and cast their ballot and neglect their assignment or vice versa.     Most journalists in the region have to travel as early as 0400 hours or days before December 07 each election year to their assigned constituencies to cover the polls.     Since 1992 journalists were allowed to take part in the special voting alongside the security services and staff of the Electoral Commission (EC) who would be working on the polling day but this year the media had been taken out of that arrangement.     The Deputy Public Relations Officer of the EC, Mrs Sylvia Annor, said the situation was unfortunate but the law had been passed by Parliament and the only avenue that the media could use in the situation was to apply within 45 days to the election but that had even elapsed as at the time the information was made known.     Media practitioners have therefore called on political parties and all stakeholders of the election to critically consider the move which if not reviewed would prevent many of them from exercising their franchise this year.   GNA... Read Full Story