The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is working tirelessly to prepare all requisite structures in readiness for the 2027 General Election with a target of registering at least 28.5 million eligible voters while also assuring Kenyans that the polls will be fair, credible, transparent and verifiable.
The Commission published Gazette Notice No. 13497 in the Kenya Gazette, Vol. CXXVIII – No. 144, on August 20, 2026 which marks the electoral calendar and the coming into force of two key legal instruments for the August 10, 2027 General Election i.e. the Electoral Code of Conduct and the Election Offences Act.
To ensure a credible and inclusive election, the IEBC has developed a robust Election Operations Plan and a Strategic Plan for 2024–2029, which will serve as a roadmap for the Commission’s activities in the run-up to the 2027 General Election.
Drawing lessons from past electoral cycles, IEBC Chairperson, Erastus Ethekon, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting the 2027 General Election in accordance with the law and guided by the principles of independence, accountability, transparency and professionalism.
“The foundation of a credible election is a clean, accurate and verifiable register of voters,” stated Ethekon, noting that since the commencement of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) on September 29, 2025, eligible Kenyans have continued to register as voters, transfer their registration and update their particulars.
In the 2022 General Election, Kenya had 22.1 million registered voters. For the 2027 General Election, the IEBC projects a register of approximately 28.5 million voters.
The Commission is also expanding voter registration for Kenyans living abroad from 12 to 26 countries, advancing the progressive constitutional right of eligible citizens residing outside the country to participate in elections.
The Commission is leveraging biometric technology for voter registration and verification to strengthen the integrity of the voters’ register by enabling voters to inspect and verify their biometric data ahead of Election Day.
“The process also facilitates the removal of deceased persons and cases of double registration. Further, the register of voters will be subjected to a forensic audit by a professional independent audit firm, which will certify it for use in the 2027 General Election,” explained Ethekon.
The Chairperson further reiterated that a successful election is a collective national endeavour, pledging to work closely with government agencies, political parties, the media, civil society, faith-based organizations, development partners and Kenyans.
“The Commission is proactively working towards strengthening coordination among security and justice actors to ensure a peaceful and secure environment. This multi-sectoral approach is vital for ensuring peaceful elections, enhancing the capacity of our officials and efficiently enforcing the law,” he said.
Under the election timelines, any public officer intending to contest in the election must resign from public office by Wednesday, February 10, 2027, exactly six months before the election.
Political parties are required to submit the names of their authorized persons and specimen signatures by October 15, 2026. They must also have their nomination rules certified by the Registrar of Political Parties by October 30, 2026, and submit them to the Commission by November 6, 2026.
In addition, political parties must submit their membership lists to the Commission by Tuesday, March 16, 2027. On the same day, they are required to submit the names of candidates contesting in their party primaries, as well as the dates and venues of the primaries.
All party primaries must be concluded and any intra-party disputes resolved by Saturday, May 8, 2027. Independent candidates, who must not be members of any registered political party, are also required to submit their names and symbols to the Commission by the same date.
Presidential aspirants will be required to submit to the Commission a list bearing the names, signatures, identity card or valid passport numbers of at least 2,000 registered voters from each of a majority of the counties by May 24, 2027.
All nominees will appear before the Commission for candidate registration between Saturday, May 29, 2027, and Friday, June 11, 2027, depending on the elective seat they are seeking.
For the 2027 General Election, the campaign period will commence upon the registration of a candidate by the Commission, but not earlier than May 29, 2027, and will end on August 7, 2027, 48 hours before Election Day.
“Any campaigning outside this prescribed period is unlawful. This includes the display of campaign posters, caravans, billboards and other forms of campaigning,” said Ethekon.
He added: “Political parties, candidates and their supporters are therefore urged to adhere to the law. The Commission will take appropriate action against violations of electoral laws and regulations.”
IEBC Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat urged election officials to apply lessons learnt from Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration I (ECVR I) to strengthen the implementation of ECVR II.
Speaking in Mombasa during the closing of a two-day workshop to review the implementation of ECVR I, Araphat said the Commission would build on the successes recorded, address challenges identified and enhance coordination and preparedness for the next phase.
She further assured that the Commission would mobilise the necessary funds and resources to support ECVR II and ensure its effective rollout.
By Sadik Hassan
