The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has finally addressed growing public speculation over its alleged plan to remove voter cards as a requirement in the upcoming 2027 General Elections.
On Tuesday, July 29, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon issued an official statement, clarifying the commission’s position on the matter and shedding light on several key legislative reforms currently in motion.
According to the commission, although a number of proposals and draft regulations have already been developed to enhance the integrity and transparency of Kenya’s electoral process, no final decision has been made yet.
IEBC emphasized that these legislative drafts are still under parliamentary scrutiny.
“These proposals have been forwarded to the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee in the National Assembly and to the Senate’s Standing Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for further evaluation and formal legislative procedures,” read the statement from the IEBC.
Among the crucial legislative proposals under review are the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Election Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
These proposed amendments aim to modernize Kenya’s election management systems and legal framework in preparation for future polls.
The commission also disclosed that it is currently reviewing several electoral regulations to align them with current technological and legal developments. These include updates to the Elections (General) Regulations, 2012, the Elections (Voter Registration) Regulations, 2012, and the Elections (Voter Education) Regulations, 2012.
Crucially, the IEBC assured Kenyans that none of these changes will be implemented without engaging the public. The commission noted that in accordance with a ruling by the High Court, all draft regulations will undergo a rigorous public participation process.
During this process, feedback from citizens and other stakeholders will be collected and incorporated into the final versions of the regulations to ensure that they reflect the will and concerns of the people.
“The Commission is fully committed to complying with the High Court’s directive. As such, we will subject all proposed regulations to inclusive and meaningful public participation. Stakeholders’ feedback will be carefully reviewed and factored into the final draft before any implementation takes place,” the statement explained.
IEBC’s remarks followed a news report from a local publication that claimed the commission was considering scrapping voter cards altogether.
The article alleged that, under the proposed changes, voters would only need to present their national identification card or valid passport in order to register and vote, eliminating the need for a separate voter’s card.
The idea behind this shift, according to the report, is rooted in the belief that voter cards have become outdated, especially given the introduction of biometric voter registration and verification through systems such as the Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS).
The use of biometrics is seen as not only more secure but also cost-effective, as it reduces reliance on physical documents and simplifies voter verification at polling stations.
Additionally, the potential elimination of voter cards is expected to help the IEBC cut down on operational expenses during election periods, streamlining processes through the use of advanced digital systems.
While the IEBC has yet to make a definitive decision on this matter, its statement has offered clarity on the current status of the proposals, ensuring the public that transparency, consultation, and legal oversight will guide every step of the process leading up to the 2027 elections.
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