Investigation section department head with the commission, Hailu Berhe told ENA yesterday that Assefa was released after the commission had suspended the charges filed against him.

He said Assefa, who was accused by the commission of power abuse and impeding the commission's duties, was released after he had admitted to have violated the law and regretted for what he did.

According to Hailu, the Electoral Board head had also pledged to reinstate the individual whom he had sacked from his job for tipping the commission about an alleged corruption with in the National Electoral Board.

If he was brought to trial and the charges filed against Assefa was corroborated by evidences, he would have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 2 to 15 years, he said.