IEBC to announce voter registration timelines in August - Chairperson Erastus Ethekon

IEBC to announce voter registration timelines in August - Chairperson Erastus Ethekon

Ethekon said the exercise is one of IEBC’s key priorities in the coming months, particularly in response to growing public demand especially among the youth and political leaders - for the updating of the voters’ register

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will announce timelines for the resumption of continuous voter registration in August 2025 through a gazette notice, Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon has said.

Speaking during a media briefing on Saturday, Ethekon said the Commission is in the final stages of completing internal processes ahead of the voter registration rollout.

He noted that the exercise is one of IEBC’s key priorities in the coming months, particularly in response to growing public demand, especially among the youth and political leaders, for the updating of the voters’ register.

“For the past two years, we have taken note of the sustained demand, particularly from Kenya’s youth and the political class, on the resumption of voter registration and updating of the register,” Ethekon said.

He described the calls as a reflection of the civic energy among a new generation of Kenyans eager to take part in shaping the country’s democratic future, in line with the Constitution.

“Indeed, we hear the voices of young Kenyans demanding the opportunity to be counted and to be actively involved in this democratic process of rebuilding our country, Kenya,” he added.

The IEBC boss explained that while the Secretariat had done preliminary groundwork, the absence of a fully constituted Commission after the 2022 general election made it legally impossible to resume voter registration.

The law requires such decisions to be made by a fully constituted Commission, which is now in place.

The chairperson emphasised that the integrity of any election is closely tied to the quality of the voter register, which must be accurate, inclusive and credible.

“A clean and inclusive register is not merely administrative. It is the foundation of free, fair and transparent elections,” he said.

He added that Article 88 of the Constitution mandates the Commission to ensure continuous registration of all eligible citizens and regular revision of the register of voters.

The previous voter registration process was temporarily halted through a gazette notice ahead of the 2022 elections to allow for the compilation and certification of the voters’ roll.

Since then, the legal requirement for a full commission has delayed any resumption plans.

In addition, Ethekon assured the public that the Commission is committed to keeping citizens and stakeholders informed. “The Commission therefore encourages continued civic engagement, and we pledge to keep all stakeholders informed as these developments unfold,” he said.

He noted that the formal plan will be shared once approved and gazetted, and communication will follow through the media.

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