The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has concluded receiving the names and specimen signatures of persons political parties have authorized to handle electoral matters ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election.
IEBC closed the exercise after setting a deadline for Thursday, October 15, 2026, for political parties intending to participate in the elections to submit their details.
“The Commission has concluded the receipt of names and specimen signatures of persons authorized by political parties to transact electoral-related matters ahead of the 2027 General Election,” the Commission said in statement.
Political parties were required to deliver the names and specimen signatures physically to the IEBC offices at Anniversary Towers, 7th Floor, South Tower, Nairobi, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on or before the October 15 deadline.
According to the commission, the submissions establish an official reference for identifying individuals permitted to conduct electoral business on behalf of political parties.
Additionally, the records will help the IEBC verify documents submitted by parties, particularly those requiring authorized signatures during candidate nominations.
Under Section 31 of the Elections Act, authorized party officials have a role in the certification and signing of nomination certificates.
IEBC Sets Campaign Financing Deadlines for Political Parties Ahead of 2027 Polls
In Gazette Notice No. 13503, dated August 20, 2026, IEBC outlined campaign financing requirements and deadlines that political parties must meet ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election.
Requirements for the political parties were issued in accordance with the Election Campaign Financing Act (Cap. 7A) and the Election Campaign Financing Regulations, 2026
Among the requirements, political parties must open election campaign financing accounts and submit the account details to the IEBC on or before Wednesday, February 10, 2027, according to IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon.
“Political parties and candidates intending to participate in the General Election shall open and submit details of the Election Campaign Financing account to the Commission on or before Wednesday, 10th February, 2027,” the Commission directed.
Additionally, political parties must submit the names of persons authorized to manage their election campaign financing accounts by Saturday, May 29, 2027.
By May 29, parties intending to participate in the General Election must appoint and submit the names of their expenditure committee members to the Commission.
The Commission set November 8, 2027, as the deadline to notify the IEBC and report on actions taken regarding surplus campaign funds held by political parties and candidates.
Also Read: IEBC Officials Face Up to 5 Years in Jail, Ksh2M Fine Under Proposed Law
Final Campaign Expenditure Report
Political parties must submit their final campaign expenditure reports to the IEBC within three months after the election and no later than Monday, November 22, 2027.
The Commission also requires party candidates to submit their final expenditure reports to both their respective political parties and the Commission by November 2027.
Further, party candidates must submit preliminary nomination expenditure reports to their political parties and the IEBC within 21 days of their party nominations, but no later than June 8, 2027.
Restrictions on Political Party Funding
The IEBC reiterates that political parties and candidates must not receive contributions or donations, whether in cash or in kind, from the State, state institutions, state agencies or other public resources.
It also draws attention to Sections 13(3) and 14(6) of the Election Campaign Financing Act. It warns that political parties, candidates or media enterprises that breach prescribed campaign expenditure limits commit an offense.
Supporting persons or organizations intending to campaign for, contribute to, or directly incur expenditure in support of a political party must notify the Commission within seven days of receiving the party’s consent.
According to the Commission, a person convicted of an offense under the Act for which no specific penalty is provided may face a fine of up to KSh 2 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
Members of the public can report breaches of party conduct through complaint forms available on the Commission’s official website, www.iebc.or.ke.
Also Read: IEBC Faces Court Challenge Over Changes to Ballot Paper Security Ahead of 2027 Polls
Next Deadlines for Political Parties
Following the October 15 submission deadline, political parties face further administrative requirements as preparations for the 2027 polls continue.
After submission, political parties must have the Registrar of Political Parties certify their nomination rules by October 30, 2026, and submit the rules to the IEBC by November 6, 2026.
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