The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has unveiled plans to roll out a digital platform aimed at simplifying voter registration, with a strong focus on attracting young Kenyans ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a prayer breakfast meeting on Wednesday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the new system will allow eligible voters to complete most of the registration process online before visiting a registration centre solely to submit biometric data.
“We are introducing a digital platform where you have a link, a pre-registration form, you can fill all you details and all you need to do is walk into the nearest Huduma or registration center and give your fingerprints,” Ethekon said.
The IEBC chairperson noted that the commission remains firmly on course with its 2027 election roadmap, with voter registration standing out as a top priority to boost public participation in the polls. He said the commission is targeting 6.3 million new voters, including citizens who have recently turned 18 and those who missed earlier registration drives. The exercise will also cater to voters seeking to transfer their registration details to new polling stations.
Ethekon revealed that the ongoing first phase of continuous voter registration has already attracted about 200,000 new voters. Despite the modest turnout so far, he said the figures have not dampened the commission’s resolve to expand registration efforts nationwide.
“We are not worried because of the low numbers. Continuous voter registration is based at the constituency level. Our plan is to roll out a mass voter registration in March and through that we will set up registration centres in every village,” he added.
He reiterated that the commission remains committed to protecting the integrity of the voter register and ensuring it accurately reflects the country’s eligible voting population. Ethekon also called on the clergy, media and other stakeholders to play an active role in civic education, urging them to support efforts aimed at “making 2027 the best election in the history of Kenya”.
However, the IEBC chairperson cautioned that several challenges continue to threaten the commission’s ability to deliver a smooth electoral process. Chief among them, he said, are budgetary constraints that could limit outreach, particularly among young voters, vulnerable groups and communities with limited access to digital platforms.
“Without these budgets we will be incapacitated to reach out to these young people, vulnerable persons and places without the digital media,” he stated.
Ethekon also pointed to unresolved legal and policy gaps, including the long-standing two-thirds gender rule. He urged political leaders to actively encourage more women to vie for elective positions to help address the imbalance.
In November last year, Ethekon disclosed that the IEBC had requested KSh 61.7 billion from Parliament to conduct elections, but lawmakers approved KSh 57.3 billion. He warned at the time that the reduction could undermine the commission’s capacity to effectively manage the electoral process.
Currently, Kenya has about 22.1 million registered voters. The IEBC projects this number will rise to 28.4 million by the time Kenyans head to the ballot in the 2027 General Election, driven by intensified registration campaigns and the planned digital registration platform.
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