Voter registration to resume on September 29 ahead of 2027 polls

IEBC resumes voter registration on Monday, September 29. [File, Standard]

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will resume Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) on Monday, September 29.

This comes even as retired Chief Justice David Maraga faulted the commission for stalling the process since 2022.

Maraga, in a statement, cited Article 88(4)(a) of the Constitution, which obliges the IEBC to conduct continuous voter registration. He warned that the commission had violated the law by suspending the exercise while offering "frivolous excuses" that deny youth a chance to participate in elections.

"The commission cannot continue picking and choosing which of its constitutional duties to undertake based on political patronage," observed Maraga.

Announcing the resumption on Thursday, August 28, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon explained the CVR will allow citizens to enrol, update their records, or transfer to new polling stations ahead of the 2027 General Election.

"Registering to vote is not just a constitutional right; it is a powerful act of responsibility. Your voice matters," added Ethekon.

He noted the commission will publish details on registration centres, outreach programs, and measures to ensure inclusivity, particularly for persons with disabilities and Kenyans in remote areas.

Maraga maintained that timely and accessible voter registration is critical for building confidence in the electoral process.

"An election cannot be credible if millions of potential voters are deliberately locked out from participating," he stressed.