The preparations for next week’s by-elections gathered pace on Friday as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission moved election materials from its Nairobi warehouse to 20 electoral areas across the country.
The commission said this stage of deployment is essential for ensuring that all regions are ready ahead of the November 27 vote.
Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan supervised the release of ballot papers and statutory forms from the warehouse, noting that the teams handling the consignments had been briefed and equipped for the task. He said the commission had concluded all internal arrangements and was now focused on getting the materials to the designated regions in good time.
Several constituencies and wards are heading to the polls following vacancies created through resignations, court decisions and the passing of former officeholders. The commission said most of the ballot papers had already begun the journey from Nairobi and that regional officers were in place to receive them.
Commissioner Hassan highlighted that two areas in Turkana County—Turkana North’s Lake Zone County Assembly Ward and Turkana West’s Naanam County Assembly Ward—would have their consignments delivered by air on Saturday due to the long distances involved and the difficulty of accessing the regions by road.
“The Commission has finalised plans to dispatch election materials to all areas. The safety of the electoral materials is secured from the IEBC warehouse in Nairobi to the respective regions. Our teams will receive the election materials and place them in safe custody,” he said.
He added that returning officers in each electoral area had prepared secure storage points where the materials will be kept until Wednesday. On that day, the ballot papers and statutory forms will be opened and relocated to polling stations ahead of Thursday’s by-elections.
“The ballot papers and statutory forms will be opened and distributed on Wednesday, one day before election day,” he said, explaining that the process is being conducted in line with the commission’s standard procedures.
Commissioner Hassan appealed to all competing sides to uphold peace and maintain respect for the law as campaigns near the end.
He urged voters to turn out in large numbers, saying the by-elections offer a fresh chance for communities to choose new representatives. “As we move closer to election day, we appeal for calm and non-violence. Let the will of the people prevail,” he said.
The upcoming polls take place at a time when the commission is under increased public attention following recent disputes around election administration. Officials said the current preparations are intended to guarantee a smooth and credible vote.
Security teams have been briefed on their roles during the delivery and distribution of materials, with full readiness expected before the weekend concludes.
