Abdul Hassan, a freelance journalist who has accused the police and IEBC officials of harassing him. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
A freelance journalist based in Lamu has accused the police and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials of harassing him as he covered the presidential repeat polls. The incident is said to have occurred at Makowe polling station.The 26-year-old journalist, Abdul Hassan, claimed that police officers forcefully took his camera, removed the memory card then formatted its content. Hassan stated that he went to the polling station at 6am but was denied access and was ordered to vacate the premises."On reaching the gate, armed police officers came to me, snatched my camera and ordered me to return to the station. They took my memory card and deleted everything including a documentary I had taken previously," said Hassan as quoted by The Star.Hassan said he was mistreated despite having accreditation from both the Media Council and IEBC.IEBC Lamu county election manager Mohamed Adan said he had received Hassan’s complaint and had directed returning officers to allow all journalists with relevant documentation to cover the election."I have already instructed the returning officers, presiding officers, and clerks to allow journalists do their work. I have rectified the matter. No journalists should be denied access to any polling station provided they show their documents," he added.
The incident was condemned by other journalists who said harassment of media personalities must stop.