IEBC resumes nationwide voter registration ahead of 2027 polls

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced the resumption of continuous voter registration across the country beginning Monday, September 29, 2025, as part of preparations for the 2027 General Election.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the exercise will mainly target young people who have recently turned 18, Kenyans who have never registered before, and those seeking to update or transfer their voting details. Eligible citizens will be required to present either a valid national identity card or Kenyan passport.

Registration will be conducted at all IEBC constituency offices and Huduma Centres, except in areas preparing for by-elections. Twenty-four constituencies and wards with by-elections scheduled for November 27, 2025, will be exempt from this initial phase.

Ethekon outlined the services available during the exercise, including fresh voter registration, transfers to new polling stations, correction of personal details and inspection of registration status.

“This process is vital to ensure that every eligible Kenyan has an opportunity to shape the country’s future through democratic elections,” he said.

In readiness for the rollout, IEBC has been mapping and verifying registration centres, holding constituency-level stakeholder forums, and consolidating geospatial and demographic data to support planning. The Commission is also configuring and testing KIEMS kits, training registration staff, distributing materials and ensuring compliance with data protection laws. 

Public education campaigns are ongoing to raise awareness and encourage turnout.

To promote inclusivity, mobile registration teams will be dispatched to remote and marginalised regions. Kenyans in the diaspora will also be able to register at designated IEBC centres in embassies, high commissions, and consulates.

Ethekon further reminded the public that continuous voter registration will be suspended 60 days before the 2027 General Election in line with the law.

The Constitution sets clear criteria for eligibility: a voter must be a Kenyan citizen aged 18 years or older, possess a valid ID or passport and not be registered elsewhere. Those convicted of election offences within the last five years, declared of unsound mind or otherwise disqualified by law are ineligible.

New applicants will be required to fill out Form A, provide biometric details such as fingerprints and photographs and will receive an acknowledgement slip confirming their registration. IEBC clarified that the slip is not used for voting; voters must present their ID or passport on election day.

“The Commission calls upon all eligible Kenyans who are yet to register to take advantage of this opportunity and participate in the democratic process,” Ethekon urged.

How to register for new voters

1. Go to your IEBC Constituency Office (registration is open countrywide, except where by-elections are ongoing).
2. Carry your original ID or valid Kenyan passport.
3. Request and fill Form A (the statutory new voter registration form).
4. Provide your personal and biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) to the Registration Officer.
5. Receive an acknowledgement slip confirming capture of your details.

IEBC clarifies the slip is not used for voting; on Election Day and every voter must present their ID or passport.

The voter registration drive is one of the most significant steps in IEBC’s preparations for the 2027 elections, signalling the start of what is expected to be an intensive nationwide effort to enhance participation and credibility in the electoral process.