The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has formally commenced preparations for the August 10, 2027 General Election, outlining key timelines for voter registration, political party nominations, candidate registration and campaigns.
In a statement issued on Thursday, August 20, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the election period had commenced following the publication of Gazette Notice No. 13497, bringing into force the Electoral Code of Conduct and the Election Offences Act.
The commission said it was committed to delivering a credible and inclusive election guided by “independence, accountability, transparency and professionalism.”
A clean and verifiable voter register remains central to the preparations. IEBC said Continuous Voter Registration, launched on September 29, 2025, had enabled eligible Kenyans to register, transfer their registration and update their details.
As of August 20, 2026, a total of 2,936,516 Kenyans had registered as voters. The commission projects the register to reach approximately 28.5 million voters by the 2027 election, compared with 22.1 million registered voters in 2022.
IEBC also plans to expand voter registration for Kenyans living abroad from 12 to 26 countries.
The commission said biometric technology would be used to strengthen the integrity of the register, including allowing voters to verify their biometric details and facilitating the removal of deceased persons and duplicate registrations. An independent firm will also conduct a forensic audit of the register before it is certified for use.
IEBC highlighted several critical deadlines for political parties and aspirants. Public officers seeking elective positions must resign by February 10, 2027, exactly six months before the election.
Political parties must submit their nomination rules by November 6, 2026, while membership lists and details of candidates participating in party primaries must be submitted by March 16, 2027. Party primaries and related disputes must be concluded by May 8.
Candidate registration will run from May 29 to June 11, 2027, depending on the elective position. Campaigning will begin upon registration of a candidate, but not before May 29, and will end on August 7, 48 hours before polling day.
IEBC warned that campaigning outside the prescribed period, including the use of posters, caravans and billboards, would be unlawful.
The commission also cautioned political parties and candidates against violating the Electoral Code of Conduct, which prohibits campaigning in places of worship and during burial ceremonies.
Serious violations, including violence, intimidation and systematic breaches, could attract sanctions ranging from fines and restrictions on campaigns to prohibition from participating in elections.
IEBC further warned against bribery, multiple voting, violence and interference with electoral processes, which are criminalised under the Election Offences Act.
The commission also directed aspirants to remove unauthorised use of its logo from campaign materials within five days, warning that failure to comply would attract action.
On election logistics, IEBC said procurement of election technology and ballot papers had been temporarily halted following a request for review filed before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board. Procurement of other election materials, however, remains ongoing.
The commission urged political actors and voters to maintain peace and reject misinformation ahead of the polls.
“Let us choose peace over violence, unity over division and issues over personalities,” Ethekon said, urging Kenyans to verify their voter details and exercise their democratic rights peacefully and responsibly.