The Electoral Commission has announced that journalists interested in covering the 2016 general elections are expected to pay in order to be issued with accreditation for the national exercise.

The amount to be paid is yet to be determined by the Electoral Commission.

The statement said media organizations have from today Monday, 31st October to Monday 7th of November 2016 to apply for accreditation.

“All requests for accreditation should be sent through the Regional representatives of the GJA to the Communications Unit of the Electoral Commission or by email at: mediaoffice@ec.gov.gh,” it said.

The statement further warned that any request submitted after the deadline of 7th November, 2016 will not be considered. Media institutions are therefore being asked to submit names of personnel, emails, contact number and the name of the media house for the accreditation.

This appears to be the first time the media is being asked to pay to access EC’s accreditation to cover national elections.

The EC is yet to give reasons for the latest move.