The Process of Voter Registration in Kenya?

What is the Process of Voter Registration in Kenya? The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is an independent regulatory agency that was founded in 2011 by the Constitution of Kenya. The Commission is responsible for conducting or supervising referenda and elections to any elective body or office established by the Constitution, and any other elections as prescribed by an Act of Parliament. It was created in a provision of the 2010 constitution and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act. Its mandate includes “the continuous registration of voters and revision of the voter’s roll, the delimitation of constituencies and wards, the regulation of political parties process, the settlement of electoral disputes, the registration of candidates for elections, voter education, the facilitation of the observation, monitoring and evaluation of elections, the regulation of money spent by a candidate or party in respect of any election, the development of a code of conduct for candidates and parties, [and] the monitoring of compliance with legislation on nomination of candidates by parties. The process of voter registration in Kenya involves taking the details of the citizens eligible to vote and recording the details in the register of voters for elections. Voter registration is an important part of democracy and the democratic process. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has the mandate of voter registration as per the Constitution. Eligible citizens register in an electoral area where they are eligible to vote during the elections. These electoral areas are the Ward, Constituency and County. The registered voters can elect the President (and his deputy), the Members of Parliament (National Assembly and the Senate, including Women Representatives), the County Governors (and their deputies) and the Ward Representatives (also known as Members of the County Assembly). The process of voter registration in Kenya can either be periodic or continuous. Periodic registration of voters occurs when a register of voters is prepared every time there is an election and the register is used only for that election. Continuous registration of voters involves updating an existing register of voters. Voter registration in Kenya is a continuous process.

How to Register as a Voter in Kenya Illustration

This is The Process Of Voter Registration In Kenya

1. How do you register as a voter in Kenya?

• • • An eligible voter must present himself or herself to the registration officer with his/her original identification documents at the designated registration centre during working hours.
    • The applicant fills the Application for Registration form (Form A)
    • Registered voters will be issued with a registration acknowledgement slip bearing the voter′s details.
    • However, this slip will not be a requirement for voting.

2. When can someone be denied registration as a voter in Kenya?

• • • 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 one is un-discharged bankrupt
    • When you have been found guilty by an election court or reported to be guilty of any election offence during the preceding five years.
    • If a competent court declares you to be of unsound mind

3. Is an eligible voter allowed to register more than once in Kenya?

No! A person is only allowed to register once as a voter in a constituency or registration centre of his or her choice. It is an offence to register more than once.

4. What is the penalty of registering more than once in Kenya?

Persons who have registered more than once are liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand Kenya shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both. Such persons shall be barred from participating in the immediate election and the next that follows.

5. Can a person transfer as a voter to another registration centre or constituency in Kenya?

YES! A person may transfer as a voter to another registration centre of his or her choice within the registration period.

Statistics of Voters in Kenya