By John Mutiso
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has received the first batch of ballot papers and statutory forms for the November 27 by-elections.
In a statement on Wednesday, November 19, the commission said the consignment was received by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon.
IEBC noted that the second batch, comprising 29 pallets, will arrive in the country on Thursday, November 20, at 7:30 PM.
“The Commission, led by Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, has this evening received the first batch of 10 pallets containing ballot papers and statutory forms for the upcoming 27th November 2025 by-elections.
“The final batch of 29 pallets will be arriving tomorrow evening at 1930hrs,” IEBC stated.
The electoral body mentioned that the ballot papers were printed at Inform Lykos (Hellas) SA in Greece, at a cost of Ksh27 million.
The IEBC also announced that the distribution of ballot papers will begin on Friday, November 21, 2025.
In areas such as Banisa and Mandera, the papers will be airlifted due to security concerns.
“Dispatch of the materials, including ballot papers, will begin on Friday, 21st November 2025. Ballot papers to far-flung areas, including Banisa and Mandera, will be airlifted due to security reasons and distance,” IEBC stated.
The commission is scheduled to hold by-elections across the country on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
The by-elections will cover Members of County Assemblies for a total of 15 wards. This includes: Chewani (Tana River), Fafi (Garissa), Mumbuni North (Machakos), Lake Zone (Turkana), Nanaam (Turkana), Angata Nanyokie (Samburu), and Chemundu (Nandi).
Others are Narok Town (Narok), Purko (Kajiado), Kisa East (Kakamega), Nyamaiya (Nyamira), Ekerenyo (Nyamira), Nyansiongo (Nyamira), Kariobangi North (Nairobi), and Kabuchai (Bungoma).
IEBC will also hold by-elections for the Member of Senate seat for Baringo County and 6 National Assembly seats for Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, and Ugunja constituencies.
On Wednesday, IEBC outlined the voting procedure ahead of the November 27 by-elections.
In a notice, the commission confirmed that all polling stations will operate from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm.
According to the IEBC, only Kenyans who present the national ID card or the passport used during registration will be allowed to vote.
These documents must be handed to returning officers for verification using the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kit upon arrival at the polling centre.
Once cleared, voters will proceed to cast their ballots in private before placing the marked paper into the designated ballot box.
To conclude the process, each voter will have their finger marked, a standard procedure meant to prevent multiple voting.
