IEBC CEO Chiloba takes leave ahead of poll

Embattled Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chief executive officer, Ezra Chiloba, has now taken a three-week leave ahead of the October 26th repeat poll.

Speaking to Reuters, Chiloba did not divulge more details on his decision but defended the poll body saying the election will be conducted as ordered by the Supreme Court.

“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.

His leave from the electoral body comes amidst calls from the opposition coalition, the National Super Alliance (NASA), for his resignation for what the alleged to be serving partisan political interests.

The IEBC CEO was also under pressure following the shock resignation of Commissioner Roselyn Akombe and the subsequent demand by the poll body chairman, Wafula Chebukati, for officials adversely mentioned over the nullified presidential poll to step aside.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga, had earlier termed Chiloba the “coup plotter in chief” for allegedly dominating operations of the Commission and stifling any attempt to initiate reforms.

Raila who has since indicated that he has withdrawn from the October 26th race even though he has not submitted Form 24A, had taken an issue with Chiloba accusing him of being among clique that is bent on implementing Jubilee Party’s agenda in the Commission.

NASA has since held mass protests in a bid to eject top electoral officials from office over the bungled August 8 presidential poll.

Among the demands the opposition has fronted is firing and prosecution of 10 IEBC officials among them Chiloba and blacklisting of technology firm OT-Morpho and printer Al Ghurair from the repeat election.

The opposition now insists that there will be no elections come October 26th until their demands of reforms in the electoral body are implemented.

This follows the annulment of the August 8th election by Supreme Court over illegalities and irregularities committed by the poll body.