IEBC clarifies voter registration exercise at Kenyatta University after vial video

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has defended a voter registration exercise conducted at Kenyatta University, saying it deploys registration kits to strategic locations to reach eligible voters.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the commission was aware of a video circulating on social media concerning the exercise, but maintained that the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process was being conducted in accordance with the law.

Ethekon said every eligible Kenyan has a constitutional right to apply for voter registration and vote at a polling station of their choice.

He clarified that voter registration is being conducted at all 290 IEBC constituency offices, Huduma Centres and the commission’s Customer Experience Centre at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi.

“Where necessary and based on operational considerations, the Commission deploys voter registration kits to strategic locations to reach out and register eligible Kenyan citizens like what happened in Kenyatta University,” stated Ethekon.

The IEBC chairman, however, clarified that voter transfer services are only available at the commission’s constituency offices across the country and are not offered at other locations.

He also explained that acknowledgement slips are issued only to newly registered voters and not to those seeking to transfer their polling stations, since the latter are already registered as voters.

“The role of the IEBC is to facilitate the registration of eligible Kenyans as voters and does not direct, compel or influence voters to select a particular polling station,” stated Ethekon.

“The Commission has taken the allegations in the clip with the seriousness it deserves and it is currently working with relevant Government Agencies to take appropriate action in accordance with the law including making arrests where there is culpability.”

The IEBC also warned members of the public against interfering with its electoral processes as it carries out its constitutional mandate.

The commission urged Kenyans to rely on official communication for information on voter registration and cautioned against spreading misinformation that could disrupt peaceful coexistence.