IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba Fired, Decries Unfairness

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has fired its CEO Ezra Chiloba.

In a statement he after receiving the news, Chiloba said that it was not a surprise to him as his fate had been sealed and the investigation was done as only a ‘formality’.

“I received the employment termination letter signed by the Chairman about an hour ago. The letter claims that I had twice been invited to appear before the disciplinary committee of the Commission, but I failed to show up; hence the decision to terminate my employment,” stated disgruntled Chiloba.

However, the CEO says that at the time of the summons, he was away attending classes at the University of Oxford, where he is pursuing an MSc in Major Programme Management.

“I communicated my unavailability to Commissioners through the Chairman’s Office via
email. While at school, I read in the media, the development of my being sacked, a decision that was later rescinded and communicated through the same channel,” he adds.

Chiloba was later invited to a disciplinary meeting that was held on October 11, to defend himself but failed to appear on grounds that the “proceeding was questionable”.

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Despite saying that his dismisal, Chiloba did not express intention to pursue the matter in court as he has been doing after he was sent on a compulsory leave.

“My employment termination should not be seen as an issue of my person but that of the
holder of the office. It brings to focus the major governance crisis at the IEBC; an issue
that will affect even the next office holder if the matter is not addressed,” he says.

Chiloba was sent on compulsory leave early this year, pending an audit on procurement of election materials used in 2017 elections.