The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced the opening of applications for accreditation of eligible organisations as voter education providers, election observers, and media practitioners for the upcoming by-elections and other electoral activities scheduled in the 2025/2026 financial year.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday afternoon, the commission stated, “The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) invites applications from organisations wishing to be accredited as Voter Education Providers, Election Observers or Media Practitioners for the upcoming by-elections and other planned electoral activities in the 2025/2026 Financial Year.”
The commission specified that all applications must be submitted online through the IEBC Accreditation Management System (AMS) portal, which can be accessed through its website.
“The time limit for submission is Friday, 5th September 2025 at 5:00 PM,” the Commission noted, urging all interested organisations to ensure timely and complete submissions.
IEBC advised applicants to secure a stable internet connection while uploading their documents to the portal, noting that incomplete or late applications would not be considered.
For organisations applying to be accredited as voter education providers, the commission stated that they are required to collect a Physical Address Authentication Form from the office of the respective County Election Manager.
“Applicants must have the form duly filled, signed, and stamped by the County Election Manager and upload a scanned copy alongside other required documents to the AMS portal,” the statement added.
The commission emphasised that only duly accredited organisations would be allowed to participate in the electoral activities, in line with the law and the commission’s guidelines.
“IEBC will conduct training for all accredited organisations and issue Accreditation Certificates, Identification Badges, and other essential support materials before they begin their activities,” the Commission stated.
Currently, there are 23 pending by-elections across the country, including one Senate seat, six National Assembly seats, and 16 Member of County Assembly (MCA) positions.
However, the IEBC has indicated that by-elections for the National Assembly and Senate cannot proceed until the respective Speakers of Parliament issue writs formally declaring the vacancies. The Commission noted that previous writs have since lapsed.
“We will engage the Speakers of the respective Houses of Parliament to address this matter. Once the necessary writs are received, the Commission will move swiftly to announce and conduct the by-elections,” IEBC stated in an earlier statement.
