work governing the electoral process and are fully conversant with all aspects of the electoral process, including the electoral institutions; b) Be familiar with regional and continental principles and benchmarks on election coverage c) Provide platforms for accessing information that enable informed analysis and opinion on elections. The role of the media is to report during the entire electoral process: I. Pre-voting • Electoral management institutions • Civic education • Electoral system • Demarcation of constituencies • Voter registration • Voters’ roll • Candidate or party registration • Nomination processes • Official campaign period II. • • • • • • • • Voting Period Voting days Voting procedures, Location of polling stations Activities at polling stations Role of stakeholders at polling stations Election monitors Election observers and their observations Vote counting and results III. Post Voting Period • Appointments to office • Analysis of promises made by the government/governing party 6R7KLVLV'HPRFUDF\" • Holding parties accountable. &RQGLWLRQVQHFHVVDU\IRU WKHPHGLDWRSOD\DQHIIHFWLYH UROH Freedom of expression, freedom of the media and access to information are crucial for media to play these roles effectively. Also of critical importance is that: a) Media houses provide adequate resources to their journalists for effective election coverage; b) The media enjoy unfettered editorial and programming independence from all vested interests including candidates, parties, media owners and organisations allied to and/or supporting candidates and political parties; c) All laws that hinder the media in fulfilling their role are repealed; d) All media are allowed access to all election activities including rallies, media conferences, candidates, parties and electoral management institutions and officials; e) Transparent polling procedures, fair, open counting of the votes and timely release of the results are guaranteed; f) Journalists and media houses can operate in an environment free of violence, harassment and intimidation; g) Sources and interviewees are not threatened, intimidated or harassed; h) Perpetrators of attacks against media personnel and property are