IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba Resumes Duty after 45-Day Leave

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chief Executive Officer, Ezra Chiloba has resumed duty following 45-day leave.

Chiloba, who took a leave a week to last year’s October 26th repeat presidential election, resumed work on Thursday, January 4th.

“This is the first time I’m taking leave since my son was born. He turns two years old in two weeks’ time,” he told Reuters in October last year.

His leave came amid fierce calls for his resignation from the commission by opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) leaders, who accused him of being behind the bungled August 8th presidential election, which was nullified by the Supreme Court.

In an interview with Citizen TV about a week ago, Chiloba said he was a sacrificial lamb and was unfairly targeted by those who were not ready to accept the outcome of the election.

“As soon as the Isack Hassan-led commission left, one of the scenarios we build is that one of the political groupings may not be happy with the outcome of the election and at that point they will look for a sacrificial lamb. I never doubted that that sacrificial lamb was going to be me. And the reason is, I had been the one midwifing the transition and preparing for the election,” said Chiloba.

He maintained the August 8th poll was credible despite Supreme Court’s invalidation, citing irregularities and illegalities.

“In running the election generally I would say there are no regrets. In August 8th we did a good election except that it went to the Supreme Court and was nullified,” Chiloba asserted.