IEBC Clarifies Voter Register Status Amid Claims on Pre-2012 Listings
News Updated: 03 April 2026 19:51 EAT
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, HSC
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has moved to clarify the status of Kenya’s voter register following claims that voters listed before 2012 would be required to register afresh ahead of the 2027 General Election.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has maintained that the commission retains full custody and control of the voter register, emphasizing that it is protected under the Constitution and electoral laws. He dismissed concerns suggesting irregular handling or loss of voter data.
The commission is currently undertaking an Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise aimed at expanding and updating the voter roll in preparation for the 2027 polls. The exercise seeks to bring more eligible Kenyans into the system while improving the accuracy of existing records.
IEBC projects that the total voter register could grow significantly by 2027, driven by the registration of millions of new voters expected to join the electoral roll over the coming months and years.
The current voter register is largely anchored on biometric data introduced during the 2012–2013 voter registration exercise, when Kenya first deployed Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits to enhance credibility and reduce electoral fraud.
Under existing electoral laws, IEBC is mandated to continuously update and revise the voter register, including registering new voters, correcting personal details, and removing duplicate or deceased entries to maintain accuracy and integrity.
While concerns have been raised about voters registered before 2012, the commission has not formally announced a blanket requirement for all such voters to re-register. Instead, emphasis has been placed on biometric verification and updating of records where necessary.
IEBC has also intensified nationwide mobilization efforts, deploying registration officers to communities and shifting toward a more proactive voter registration approach to ensure broader inclusion.
The developments come amid growing political focus on electoral preparedness, with stakeholders calling for transparency and credibility in the voter register ahead of the next general election cycle.
IEBC continues to urge eligible Kenyans, particularly first-time voters and those needing to update their details, to participate in the ongoing registration exercise, reiterating that a credible voter register is key to free and fair elections.
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