The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has defended a voter registration exercise conducted at Kenyatta University, explaining that it sometimes moves registration equipment to strategic locations to make it easier for eligible Kenyans to register. IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the commission was aware of a video circulating online regarding the exercise but maintained that the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process was being carried out within the law.
IEBC explains deployment of registration kits
Ethekon said every Kenyan who meets the legal requirements has a constitutional right to register as a voter and participate in elections at a polling station of their choice. He explained that Continuous Voter Registration is available at all 290 IEBC constituency offices, Huduma Centres and the commission’s Customer Experience Centre at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi.
However, Ethekon noted that the commission can deploy voter registration kits to other strategic locations where necessary to reach more eligible citizens. He said the exercise at Kenyatta University was part of such outreach efforts and was intended to facilitate registration among eligible Kenyans.
Voter transfers only available at constituency offices
The IEBC chairperson clarified that the transfer of voters from one polling station to another is different from new voter registration. According to Ethekon, voter transfer services are only offered at IEBC constituency offices across the country and are not available at temporary registration points or other outreach locations. He also explained that acknowledgement slips are issued to people registering as voters for the first time. Those transferring their polling stations do not receive the same slips because they are already registered voters.
IEBC denies influencing polling station choices
Ethekon maintained that the electoral commission does not direct or pressure voters to choose particular polling stations. He said the responsibility of the IEBC is to facilitate eligible citizens in registering as voters while allowing them to exercise their rights freely. The commission has also taken the allegations raised in the circulating video seriously and is working with relevant government agencies to establish what happened. Ethekon said appropriate legal action would be taken against anyone found culpable, including possible arrests.
Commission warns against disrupting electoral processes
The IEBC further cautioned members of the public against interfering with electoral activities as the commission continues implementing its constitutional mandate. The commission urged Kenyans to obtain information about voter registration from its official communication channels rather than relying on unverified claims circulating on social media.
IEBC said spreading false or misleading information about electoral processes could cause unnecessary confusion and undermine peaceful coexistence. The commission encouraged eligible Kenyans who have not registered as voters to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise through the designated registration centres.
