Committee adopts restricting poll monitoring to freelance reporters
With the election just a months days away, the Elections Commission has already said it does not want to pass the amendments.
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By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
The Independent Institutions Committee of the parliament has adopted a bill to amend the Elections Act to restrict the opportunity for freelance journalists to cover elections.
The bill was sent to parliament on behalf of the government in a way that severely restricts the issuance of monitor passes. When the committee reviewed the bill and sent it to the parliament floor, the restriction was further tightened.
Six months before the presidential election, the bill was introduced by Henveiru North MDP MP Ibrahim Muizzu on behalf of the government in February.
When the bill was introduced in parliament, Article 41(a) stated that only "registered journalists authorised by the Elections Commission" could be involved in election monitoring.
With the committee's amendment, it now reads:
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Only "journalists of registered newspapers, magazines and news agencies" who are authorised by the Elections Commission under the law will be allowed to monitor the elections
With that phrasing, there is a possibility that freelance journalists who do not work in any media as a full-time job will be restricted from being issued election monitor passes. If the commission so wishes, it will be optional.
According to Article 41(b) of the bill adopted by the committee:
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Journalists who apply for permission to act as monitors in the town, area or location 10 days before the election must be allowed to enter each polling and counting area, without discrimination
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That power is conferred by a rule made by the commission
When the committee passed the bill, it also included the definition of journalists.
The bill now defines journalists as:
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Any person engaged in the provision of news in any registered media or broadcasting service provider
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That includes photographers and videographers working in registered media outlets
The Elections Commission in March opened the door for foreign organisations and individuals interested in monitoring and observing the presidential election.
With the election just a months days away, the Elections Commission has already said it does not want to pass the amendments. Associations have called for the amendments to be withdrawn.
