The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has outlined strict guidelines for voters, political parties, candidates and agents ahead of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16.
Speaking at a multi-agency briefing on July 14 attended by security agencies and other stakeholders, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon affirmed that preparations for the by-election were complete.
Further, the chairman stated that the procurement and delivery of election materials, the gazettement of candidates, the training of officials, and the testing of election technology had been undertaken by the IEBC.
He added that ballot papers and ballot boxes had been dispatched to Nyandarua County, while polling stations and tallying centers were ready ahead of the vote.
The IEBC has also certified, gazetted and displayed the voters’ register at polling stations to allow voters to verify their details, according to Erastus Ethekon.
Erastus further reminded candidates and their supporters that campaigns officially ended on July 13.
“The commission reminds all stakeholders that the campaign officially ended yesterday, on Monday, 13th of July 2026, at 6 p.m., in line with the gazetted election timelines,” Erastus noted.
Erastus Ethekon Explains Poll Rules
The commission urged all registered voters to report to polling stations with valid national identity cards or passports.
Further, the chairman said identification will be conducted using biometric technology, including fingerprints and facial recognition features captured in its database.
Erastus, however, dismissed claims that voters could cast ballots without identification documents, calling such claims misleading.
According to the commission, the Polling stations will open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Only Voters who are in the queue by 5 p.m. will be allowed to vote, even if the process extends beyond the official closing time, according to the IEBC chair.
In addition, the commission noted that no voters will be allowed into a polling station while wearing party-branded clothing, badges, symbols, or other political paraphernalia.
Also Read: IEBC Reveals Plan to Delay Ol Kalou By-Election Until 2027
Rules for Assisted Voters and Photos
The commission warned voters against taking photographs of marked ballot papers, saying doing so violates the secrecy of the vote and is an offense under the Elections Offenses Act.
He warned that offenders risk prosecution, a fine of up to Sh1 million, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
On the other hand, the IEBC clarified that voters requiring assistance due to disability or illiteracy may be assisted by a person of their choice, emphasizing that only one individual may assist one voter.
Strict Accreditation for Agents
The commission announced strict accreditation requirements for political party and candidate agents.
Each candidate or political party will be allowed only one agent per polling station and one chief agent at the constituency tallying center, and all agents must carry IEBC-issued accreditation badges.
Ethekon expressed concern over the emergence of individuals he described as “super agents” during recent by-elections.
“We will not allow anybody, whether a senior politician or a leader in this country, who has not been cleared and accredited by the IEBC, to come with their security or supporters to disturb the peace at polling stations,” Ethekon said.
Also Read: IEBC Lists New Requirement for Civil Servants Who Want to Resign and Vie in 2027
Concerns Over Violence and Voter Bribery
The IEBC chairperson also raised concerns over reports of voter bribery, intimidation, violence and the alleged mobilization of gangs to disrupt political activities during the campaign period.
According to Ethekon, some politicians accused of electoral malpractices have already been summoned by the commission’s Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee.
Speaking during the launch of the 2022 Pre-Election Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) Report and Case Digest, Erastus Ethekon stated that investigators had been deployed to investigate allegations and reported violations of election laws.
He warned that investigations into reported cases of voter bribery, violence and other electoral offenses are ongoing and that any person found culpable will face sanctions under the law.
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