Miss this, miss 2027: IEBC rolls out voter registration in 30,000 centres nationwide
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has launched a nationwide voter registration drive targeting 2.5 million new voters, warning eligible Kenyans that failure to register will lock them out of the 2027 General Election.
The commission said the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise will be conducted in 30,619 gazetted centres across the country, including 57 Huduma Centres, in a move aimed at bringing services closer to wananchi.
IEBC noted that the exercise will shift registration from constituency offices to ward level, universities and institutions of higher learning, targeting first-time voters, youth and those in under-registered and remote areas.
The commission said the programme is designed to “enhance inclusivity and equity” while expanding access to voter registration services nationwide.
Students, urban voters get relief
In a major change, the IEBC said students will not be required to travel back to their home areas to register.
Registration kits will be deployed to universities and colleges, allowing learners to select polling centres of their choice.
Similarly, Huduma Centres will allow first-time voters to register and choose where they wish to vote, easing the burden of long-distance travel.
Who qualifies
The IEBC said a voter must:
- Be a Kenyan citizen
- Be 18 years and above
- Possess a national ID or valid passport
- Present themselves physically for biometric registration
The commission is also working with the National Registration Bureau to fast-track issuance of IDs, a key requirement for registration.
Launch in Kwale
The exercise was officially launched in Shimoni, Kwale County, with IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon saying the choice of the region reflects the commission’s commitment to inclusivity, especially in marginalised areas.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani urged residents to turn out in large numbers, saying registration is the first step in shaping leadership and development.
Numbers so far
Since voter registration resumed in September 2025, the IEBC has registered 273,498 new voters, with Kwale County accounting for 2,547.
With millions still unregistered, the commission’s message is blunt: register now or miss your chance to vote in 2027.
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