Akufo-Addo is my good friend; Mahama is not – Charlotte Osei

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Charlotte Osei, has described the flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as a friend of many years.

In an interview with Accra-based Starr FM on Monday, Mrs Osei said she and the President, John Mahama, were not friends although they had met in the course of work.

She said Nana Addo, on the other hand, had been her friend for several years.

Mrs Osei said:  “Is John Mahama my friend? No, I have met him in the course of work, have I met Nana Addo, Yes, he actually is my friend...but I do know both of them.

“With Nana, being a young lawyer, I have known him for many years.”

Mrs Osei, who was appointed Chairperson of the EC in June 2015 by the President, has come under criticism from a section of the public over the decision of the commission not to replace the current voters’ register, which some political players have described as flawed.

She was the former head of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) before being appointed to take charge of the EC, following the retirement of former Chairman, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan.