Charlotte Osei Hits Back at 2016 Election Results Claim: “Lies Continue Unabated”
- Former Electoral Commission Chairperson Charlotte Osei criticised some claims about her handling of the 2016 election
- Osei was responding to claims by former Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
- Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu had claimed the former chairperson was not ready to release the 2016 presidential election results
Former Electoral Commission Chairperson Charlotte Osei responded to claims by former Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, that businessman Ibrahim Mahama played a role in the release of the 2016 presidential election results.
Osei shared a report of Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu's claim, calling it false.
Source: Facebook
In a post online, she said, "the lies continue unabated."
What did Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu say?
Speaking on Kessben FM on September 5, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu alleged that Osei deliberately delayed the official declaration of the 2016 presidential election results.
The former legislator claimed it took the intervention of chiefs, pastors, and Mahama to compel the commission to release results which confirmed Nana Akufo-Addo as president-elect.
According to Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the commission at the time cited a cyber attack as justification for withholding the results.
"The Electoral Commissioner was reluctant to release and declare the 2016 election results, all in the name of systematic hacking."
Historical appointment gone bad for Charlotte Osei
Osei was the first woman to serve as Electoral Commission chair but was removed under controversial circumstances and replaced by Jean Mensa.
She was removed from office on June 28, 2018, following recommendations by a special committee investigating claims of corruption after a petition.
She was sacked along with her two deputies, Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku Amankwa, over alleged incompetence and misappropriation of funds.
Since then, she has worked as an advisor and consultant. In 2019, the UN appointed Osei as part of the international advisors to support the work of Afghanistan’s electoral management bodies.
She was honoured with the Women of Courage award from the US during her time in office in 2017.
About Charlotte Osei
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Osei is a lawyer and serves as a UN International Elections Commissioner.
She was born on February 1, 1969, in Nigeria. She had her secondary education at the Ghana National College in Cape Coast. And an LL.B. Hons from the University of Ghana.
She also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) from Queen’s University, Canada, and a Master's in Business Leadership (MBL) from the University of South Africa.
Source: Facebook
Charlotte Osei began her professional journey as a teaching assistant at the Faculty of Law, University of Ghana, Legon, serving from 1994 to 1995.
Concurrently, she practised law with Laryea Company in Accra from 1994 to 1997.
Charlotte Osei opens up about threats
YEN.com.gh previously reported that Osei opened up about threats and personal challenges she faced during her tenure from 2015 to 2018.
She noted that the situation was particularly distressing for her family, who experienced significant emotional strain.
Osei also said she and the family were subjected to hostility throughout her service.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
