No Panic Needed: IEBC Confirms Majority of Pre-2012 Voters Are Already in System

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has reassured Kenyans that citizens who registered as voters before 2012 do not need to register again, unless they missed the 2012 biometric registration exercise.

The clarification comes as part of the Commission’s effort to ensure that all eligible voters understand their responsibilities ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

In 2012, Kenya moved from a manual voter register to a biometric system. This change followed the adoption of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the delimitation of electoral boundaries.

The biometric system required all eligible citizens to enrol and have their biometric data captured. Since then, the system has formed the foundation of a credible and up-to-date Register of Voters (ROV).

Who Needs to Re-Register

Before the biometric system, voter records relied on manual entries, which carried risks of duplication and errors.

“Not at all UNLESS they DID NOT register as voters from 2012 when the new Register of Voter (ROV) was established under the new Constitution of Kenya 2010 and boundaries delimitation of 2012,” the commission stated.

“Because before 2012, the ROV was manual. In 2012, it went BIOMETRIC and so all eligible Kenyans were required to enrol and their Biometrics captured,” the commission further explained.

These measures ensure that only those who missed the 2012 registration and have never registered under the biometric system need to enrol now.

Also Read: IEBC Orders Fresh Registration for Select Registered Voters Countrywide

Maintaining an Accurate Voter Register

The Commission highlighted that the ROV has undergone continuous audits and updates. As of the 2022 General Election, the register included 22,120,458 voters.

This demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to maintaining a reliable and inclusive voter register. Officials emphasized that the majority of pre-2012 voters are already included and do not need to take any action.

Also Read: IEBC Clarifies on Collaborating With Ruto’s Govt

Reassuring the Public

The Commission encouraged citizens to use official communication channels to access verified information and avoid misinformation that could create unnecessary confusion or anxiety.

With the 2027 General Elections approaching, IEBC continues to clarify voter registration rules and engage with the public.

By providing clear guidance, the Commission aims to guarantee that every eligible citizen can participate fully in the democratic process.

Kenyans are urged to check their registration status and confirm that their details are accurate to avoid any last-minute surprises.

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The IEBC confirms that voters who registered biometrically from 2012 onwards remain in the official system. Only those who still hold manual registrations from before 2012 must register afresh to secure their vote. PHOTO/ IEBC X