IEBC: How to Register as a Voter Ahead of August 9 Polls

Have you registered as a voter ahead of the August 9 General Election? Or do you want to change your polling station?

In 195 days, Kenyans will be electing a new set of political leaders to lead the development agenda for the next five years. It is within your democratic right to make a political choice, which includes the right – without unreasonable restrictions – to be registered as a voter; to vote by secret ballot, and to be a candidate for public office or office within a political party as stipulated by the Constitution.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is mandated with registering Kenyans as voters and running a free and fair election.

IEBC is in your ward, constituency, and county, and is looking for you to participate in the second phase of Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) which started on Monday, January 17 and will end on Sunday, February 6.

An audit of the voter register will be done once the mass registration exercise is over. Inspection and verification of the voter register will follow immediately.

Do not be locked out! Your vote can make a huge difference. Your vote is your voice. IEBC Recognises you. Sign up today.

Key Notes

IEBC rolled out Phase I of the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise from October 4 to November 5, 2021, where a total of 1,519,294 eligible Kenyans were registered as new voters out of the targeted 6 million.

Due to the low turnout, the commission led by Chairperson Wafula Chebukati was directed to roll out the second phase of voter registration which will end on Sunday, February 6, to give IEBC ample time to prepare for the General Election.

“It is your constitutional right to register and vote in your preferred leaders come 9th August 2022,” Chebukati called on eligible youths who missed out in the first phase to exercise their right.

Requirements for voter registration

Original Identification Card (ID) or Passport.

Be of the age of 18 years and above.

How to register as a Diaspora voter

Registration for Kenyan citizens living outside the country started on January 21 and will end on February 6. Those in the diaspora can register during official working hours at the Kenyan Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates in respective countries.

Kenyan voters living in Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa, who voted in the 2017 General Election will also be captured in the exercise. Additionally, those in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, South Sudan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Germany will also register.

However, diaspora voters will only vote for the Presidential elective position.

How to register as a local voter

Present yourself to the registration officer with your original identification documents at the designated registration centre during working hours.

Fill out the Application for the Registration form (Form A)

You will be issued with a registration acknowledgment slip bearing your details.

However, this slip will not be a requirement for voting.

Can IEBC decline to register me?

Yes!

When you are under 18 years of age.

When you are not in possession of the original ID card or a valid Kenyan passport

When you have been found guilty by an election court or reported to be guilty of any election offense during the preceding five years.

If a competent court declares you to be of unsound mind

Can I register to vote more than once?

No! You are only allowed to register once as a voter in a constituency or registration centre of your choice. It is an offence to register more than once.

What is the penalty for registering more than once?

Persons who have registered more than once are liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding Ksh100,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both. Such persons shall be barred from participating in the immediate and subsequent elections.

Can I transfer as a voter to another registration centre or constituency?

Yes! You can transfer as a voter to another registration centre of your choice within this registration period which ends on Sunday, February 6.

What is the importance of registering as a voter?

It gives you an opportunity to vote and elect leaders of your choice.

It allows you to vie for any elective position.

It allows you to propose or second your preferred candidate for nomination

It gives you the right to nominate candidates for elections.

It gives you the moral authority to hold leaders accountable.

Areas with the highest and lowest new voter registration in the first phase of the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR).

This phase ended on November 5, 2021. A total of 1,519,294 eligible Kenyans were registered.

Highest

Nairobi – 152,920 new voters.

Nakuru – 62,064

Kiambu – 59,813

Kakamega – 57,816

Kisii – 56,932

Lowest

Tana River – 11,618

Laikipia – 11,605

Samburu – 9,356

Isiolo – 6,222

Lamu – 5,773