The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has cautioned members of the public against double voter registration ahead of the upcoming by-elections.
In a statement shared on Thursday, November 20, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon warned of dire consequences against individuals found engaging in double registration. According to him, double registration was a grave electoral offence punishable by law.
He disclosed that the Commission had acquired digital systems that would immediately remove a person who attempts to register as a voter 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 warned.
He also cautioned Kenyans against intentionally providing wrong information during the ongoing voter registration, insisting that such practices interfere with the credibility of the elections.
"We urge members of the public to refrain from sharing incorrect information during the ongoing voter registration exercise," the IEBC Chairperson added.
This is after reports emerged purporting plans by a section of politicians to interfere with the credibility of the upcoming by-elections through double registration and falsification of voter details.
Double registration or providing false information is considered a gross electoral offence punishable by a fine not exceeding Ksh1 million or an imprisonment of at least one year or both.
The Electoral Offences Act of 2016 and the Elections Act of 2011 outline various offences punishable by law. These may include bribery, use of force or violence during the election period and impersonation.
According to the Act, a person who engages in bribery or uses violence during elections is liable to a Ksh2 million fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six years.
Other electoral offences are interference with secrecy during the elections, forging, defacing or destroying a ballot paper and participation in elections by public officers.
Meanwhile, IEBC's clarification comes hardly a week before the much-anticipated by-elections scheduled to take place on November 27, 2025.
