The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has confirmed that 105 fully registered political parties have submitted their certified nomination rules ahead of the August 10, 2027 General Election, marking a critical milestone in the country’s electoral preparations.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon announced that the commission had concluded the receipt process, with all eligible parties meeting the November 6, 2026 deadline.
The commission will now undertake a comprehensive 14-day review to determine whether the submitted rules comply with the Constitution, the Elections Act and other applicable regulations.
The review will scrutinise several key aspects of internal party democracy, including candidate eligibility requirements, nomination procedures, participation of party members, representation of special interest groups and gender inclusion.
The commission will also assess the internal dispute resolution mechanisms established by each party to handle nomination-related conflicts.
The commission described the submission as an important step in its preparations for the 2027 General Election and the fulfilment of its constitutional mandate to regulate political party nominations.
“The submission marks a significant milestone in the Commission’s preparations for the 2027 General Election and the fulfilment of its constitutional mandate to regulate the process through which political parties nominate candidates for elections,” the commission stated.
IEBC emphasised that the review would be conducted within the statutory 14-day period mandated under Section 27(2A) of the Elections Act, applying consistent legal and procedural standards across all parties.
The commission also cautioned political parties against interpreting the receipt of their nomination rules as confirmation that the documents had been approved.
“The Commission wishes to clarify that the receipt of the nomination rules does not constitute approval or a determination of their compliance with the applicable legal framework,” IEBC stated.
Parties whose rules meet the required standards will receive certificates of compliance, while those found deficient will be directed to make the necessary amendments in accordance with the law.
The submission of nomination rules is anchored in Article 88(4)(d) of the Constitution and Section 27 of the Elections Act, which mandate IEBC to regulate the process through which political parties nominate candidates for elections. Under Section 27(1), political parties are required to submit their nomination rules at least six months before the nomination of candidates for an election.
The process began earlier this year when IEBC published critical timelines for the 2027 General Election. Political parties were required to have their nomination rules certified by the Registrar of Political Parties by October 30, 2026, before submitting them to the commission by November 6.
Only fully registered political parties were eligible to participate in the exercise. Parties that had not attained full registration status by the deadline were excluded from the process.
The August 10, 2027 General Election will be Kenya’s third since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution. IEBC has projected a voter register of approximately 28.5 million eligible voters, up from 22.1 million in the 2022 General Election.
The commission has also outlined a comprehensive electoral calendar, including a requirement for public officers intending to contest to resign by February 10, 2027, and party primaries to be concluded by May 8, 2027.
Following the 14-day review, IEBC will issue certificates of compliance to qualifying parties. For parties with deficient rules, the commission will communicate specific areas requiring changes and direct amendments in accordance with the Elections Act.
The commission reiterated its commitment to conducting the exercise impartially and consistently as it prepares for the next general election.
“The Commission remains committed to the impartial, consistent and effective discharge of its constitutional and statutory mandate in regulating political party nominations,” IEBC stated.
Compliant nomination rules are considered essential for promoting transparency, fairness, inclusivity and accountability in candidate selection processes, ultimately safeguarding the credibility of the electoral system as Kenya prepares for the 2027 polls.
