IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba Says He Wouldn't Want to Manage Another Election

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) CEO Ezra Chiloba has revealed that he is not interested in managing elections for the second time.

Speaking to the Business Daily, Mr Chiloba conveyed that he is proud to have served in the IEBC but he is uncertain about doing it again.

"Whilst I love challenges, the only thing I don’t like is doing the same thing over and over again. I avoid monotony.

This was an unparalleled experience and I’m glad so far, all the efforts invested in the last two and a half years, have gotten us to where we are. Would I do this again? I think that’s gone. It’s passed," he explained.

The former UNDP Programme Analyst conveyed that his life goals are geared toward the corporate world.

"Although my ambition after I left the UN was to join the private sector, I wanted to be a CEO in some private sector at the age of 39. Now I’m 39," he hinted.

According to the Constitution, full-time commissioners and holders of independent offices, such as the IEBC CEO's, shall only serve for a limited period of one term of six years.

"A member of a commission, or the holder of an independent office—(a) unless ex officio, shall be appointed for a single term of six years and is not eligible for re-appointment," Article 250 (6) of the Law stipulates.

He also had a few words for the next CEO, who would take his place at the electoral body's management team.

"You got no friends in town so just do your job. Since it’s a political process, it doesn’t matter how long it takes just stick to the rules.

"Also, never ever receive praise from a politician because they’ll abandon you the next day. A politician doesn’t love you, there’s nothing like that. It’s self-interest," he advised.

When asked if he believed that the IEBC had followed due process to conduct a credible, free and fair election, he expressed great confidence that they had.

"I’m 200 per cent confident. I can tell you that maybe because of my upbringing, sticking to the rules is very important for me, so are my personal values. And at my age why would I want to mess up systems," he asserted.

Chiloba stated that his greatest weakness as CEO was the fact that he was too trusting, especially with politicians, and he had lost many friends during the election period.

"You lose friends, I’ve lost many. People look at me differently. My phone currently has over 5,000 unread messages ranging from the good to threats," he stated.

In parting, Chiloba stated: "I haven’t been on leave for the last two and a half years. This historic moment is over and I’m satisfied with everything. I want to take a holiday, spend time with family, go back to doing what I used to do with friends I still have. I want to watch my daughter play with her two dogs."

Also read: IEBC's Chiloba Reveals the Truth On Being Married to Uhuru's Relative