The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has issued a firm warning to the public against double voter registration and the provision of false information, labeling them as grave electoral offenses with severe consequences. The alert comes just a week before the scheduled by-elections amid reports of planned interference by political actors.
In a statement on Thursday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon emphasized that the commission’s digital systems are equipped to instantly flag and remove any individual attempting to register more than once. “Double registration is an electoral offence. Our system will definitely flag out a person who attempts to register as a voter more than once,” Ethekon stated.
He further cautioned Kenyans against intentionally submitting incorrect details, stressing that such actions undermine the credibility of the electoral process. The warning is grounded in the Electoral Offences Act of 2016 and the Elections Act of 2011, which stipulate that individuals found guilty of double registration or providing false information face a fine of up to Ksh1 million, imprisonment for at least one year, or both.
The commission’s statement also highlighted other serious offenses, including bribery and the use of violence during elections, which carry penalties of up to Ksh2 million in fines or a six-year jail term. With the critical by-elections set for November 27, 2025, the IEBC’s message is clear: any attempt to compromise the integrity of the vote will be met with the full force of the law.
By James Kisoo
