Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to Resume Voter Registration Exercise in September

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The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) from Monday, September 29, 2025.

The Commission said the exercise is in line with its constitutional mandate under Article 88(4) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.

It described the process as “a vital step in ensuring that every eligible Kenyan has the opportunity to participate in shaping the country’s future through democratic elections.”

IEBC noted that the registration is particularly targeted at young people who have recently turned 18 years and citizens who have not yet registered or need to update their voter details.

Ahead of the resumption, the Commission has launched a series of preparatory activities to ensure the process runs smoothly.

These include mapping of registration centres, stakeholder consultations, geospatial data consolidation, and preparation of Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits.

Other measures underway are the gazettement of officers, training of registration personnel, distribution of registration materials, and compliance with data protection laws. Voter education campaigns are also being rolled out to raise awareness.

The Commission explained that these steps are necessary “to ensure the process is efficient, inclusive, and transparent.”

Eligible Kenyans will be able to register at any IEBC constituency office, except in areas where by-elections are ongoing.

Services offered will include new voter registration, transfer of voter registration to a new location, correction of details, and inspection of voter registration status.

According to the Constitution, a person is eligible to register as a voter if they are a Kenyan citizen, at least 18 years old, possess a valid Kenyan identity card or passport, are not already registered elsewhere, and have not been convicted of an election offence in the past five years.

They must also not be declared to be of unsound mind and must not be listed in the current register of voters.

Applicants will be required to fill out the relevant forms depending on the service needed. Form A will be used for new registrations, Form B for change of particulars, Form C for transfers, Form D for claims or objections, and Form E for appeals against a registration officer’s decision.

For new registrations, applicants must visit a designated registration centre with a valid Kenyan ID or passport, provide biometric data such as fingerprints and a photograph, and complete the statutory form.

Once registered, they will receive an acknowledgement slip. IEBC clarified that “the acknowledgement slip is not required as an identification document during voting.”

Those seeking to transfer registration from one polling station to another will need to visit the constituency office, fill Form C, and complete biometric validation. Kenyans can also inspect their registration details online at https://verify.iebc.or.ke or at constituency offices.

The Commission further announced that the upcoming phase will not cover Kenyans living abroad or those in correctional facilities.

It said this was “due to ongoing policy reviews for these categories,” with further updates to be communicated once the reviews are concluded.

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