Another idea, if you have root access to the elog server, you can temporarily make the elog config file unwritable to the elog user, nobody will be 
able to change it from the web interface. (and as root, you can edit it using emacs). But in general case, yes, it is better to setup a separate 
elog instance for what you do. Still, make the config elog unwritable by the elog user, so it cannot be hacked too easily. K.O.