IEBC Sets Campaign Period for the November By-Elections

The Independent and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set the key dates of the campaign period for the by-elections set for November 27, 2025.

In a statement dated Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the electoral body announced that the campaign period shall commence on October 8, 2025.

“The campaign period for purposes of the Thursday, 27th November 2025, by-elections shall commence on Wednesday, 8th October 2025, and cease on Monday, 24th November 2025, being 48 hours before the by-election day.

The campaign time will run daily from 7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. during the campaign period,” read the statement.

IEBC Issues Guidelines for Independent Candidates

Besides announcing the date when the campaign period will begin, the Commission also issued guidelines for those seeking to run as independent candidates.

According to the electoral body, candidates intending to participate in the by-elections as independent candidates must not have been members of any political party for at least three months prior to the date of the by-election.

An independent candidate must also obtain and submit to the Commission a clearance certificate from the Registrar of Political Parties, confirming they have not belonged to any political party within the preceding three-month period.

Additionally, independent candidates must submit the name and symbol they intend to use during the by-election to the Commission on or before Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

This submission should be made using the prescribed Forms 11N and 11P of the Elections (General) Regulations, 2012, in both electronic and print format, and delivered at Anniversary Towers, 21st Floor, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (templates attached).

Upon approval, the candidate’s symbol will be published in the Kenya Gazette at least fourteen (14) days before the nomination or registration of candidates.

The pre-nomination/registration meeting with aspirants is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 3, 2025, with the respective Returning Officers.

An independent candidate contesting in the Senate by-election shall submit the following to the Returning Officer:

1. A duly filled nomination form;
2. A list of supporters’ names, signatures, and national identity card/passport numbers of 2,000 registered voters in the county, along with copies of their identity cards.

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For the National Assembly by-election, an independent candidate is required to submit to the Returning Officer:

1. A duly filled nomination form.
2. A list of supporters’ names, signatures, and national identity card/passport numbers of 1,000 registered voters in the constituency, along with copies of their identity cards.

Commission Announces Date of Registration of Candidates

For the County Assembly by-election, an independent candidate must submit to the Returning Officer:

1. A duly filled nomination form.
2. A list of supporters’ names, signatures, and national identity card/passport numbers of 500 registered voters in the ward, along with copies of their identity cards.

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Further, the IEBC announced that the nomination and registration of independent candidates, as well as those nominated by political parties, will take place on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, and Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Candidates are required to deliver their nomination papers to the respective Returning Officers between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at venues designated by the Commission.

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