IEBC Announces All Pending By-Elections Will Be Held on November 27
- The IEBC has scheduled all the by-elections in the country for November 27 this year
- This would be the commission's first test run as it prepares for the 2027 General Election
- Seventeen wards, six constituencies, and a county will be partaking in the minipolls to elect their new MCAs. MPs and senators
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Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has gazetted November 27 as the date for the byelections in 24 areas in various parts of the country.
Source: Twitter
Some Kenyans have lacked representation in the houses of parliament in the counties and national legislature, with some for over two years, due to deaths or resignations of leaders they elected in the 2022 general election.
Where will by-elections be held?
A total of 17 wards across 14 counties will partake in the oncoming minipolls.
IEBC chairman Erastus Ethekon published a gazetted notice for the byelections on Saturday, August 9.
They are; Angata Nanyokie Ward (Samburu County), Chemundu/Kapng’etuny Ward (Nandi County), Chewani Ward (Tana River County), Fafi Ward (Garissa County), Kariobangi North Ward (Nairobi City County), Kisa East Ward (Kakamega County), Metkei Ward (Elgeyo Marakwet County), Mumbuni North Ward (Machakos County), Narok Town Ward (Narok County), Purko Ward (Kajiado County), Tembelio Ward (Uasin Gishu County), Nyansiongo, Nyamaiya, and Ekerenyo Wards (Nyamira County), and Lake Zone and Nanaam Wards (Turkana County).
The gazetted notice for the Chwele Ward in Bungoma County has been scheduled for Monday, August 11.
By-elections will also be conducted in six constituencies, namely; Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, and Ugunja, and the Baringo senatorial seat.
IEBC rules for candidates in oncoming by-elections
The commission set the ground rules to be observed by political parties and aspirants to allow for credible elections.
Public servants eyeing any of the foregoing elective posts have been required to resign from their designations by August 16, seven days after the gazetted notice.
Political parties that will field their candidates have been given until October 2 to submit the names, this after party primaries or internal selection mechanisms.
Independent candidates have until September 17 to submit their candidacies, and they ought not to have been members of any political party in at least three months before November 27, the date for the by-elections.
Political parties and candidates have until November 11 to submit their election agents.
The campaigns have been scheduled for six weeks only, between October 8 and November 24, running between 7 am and 6 pm.
Source: Twitter
The commission said it would use the voters' roll published in June 2022 and which was used in that year's general election.
Candidates flouting the election code of conduct and the set rules would be disqualified and subject to penalties stipulated in the Election Offences Act of 2026, the IEBC warned.
The by-elections tend to be the IEBC's test run as it prepares to take the country through the 2027 General Election.
What IEBC chairman promised Kenyans in 2027
During his swearing-in, Ethekon assured Kenyans that he would preside over a nonpartisan team that would safeguard the voice of the electors on the ballot.
In his maiden speech, the chairman appreciated that elections are a vital display of democracy and urged Kenyans to support the commission in its pursuit of fair electoral processes.
Ethekon was sworn in on July 11 alongside commissioners Fahima Abdalla Rafat (vice chairman), Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, and Francis Odhiambo Aduol.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
