The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has made a final appeal to eligible Kenyans to register as voters, with just one day remaining before the close of the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise.
The month-long nationwide exercise is set to end on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, with the commission warning that there will be no extension beyond the stipulated deadline.
The ECVR exercise, which began on March 30, is a 30-day initiative aimed at registering new voters as well as enabling existing voters to transfer polling stations or update their personal details ahead of future elections.
Under the theme “Deepening Democracy in Kenya Through Inclusive Voter Registration,” the commission has deployed open registration kits across the country, allowing citizens to register for any polling station regardless of their current location.
“You do not need to travel to your home county to register. The Commission has deployed open kits, which allow a citizen to register as a voter for any polling station in Kenya from the registration center near you,” IEBC said.
However, the commission clarified that the ongoing exercise is not being conducted in certain electoral areas where by-elections are scheduled or election petitions are ongoing.
These include Porro Ward, Endo Ward, Emurua Dikirr Constituency, Ol Kalou Constituency, Malava Constituency, and Mbeere North Constituency.
The IEBC urged citizens to take advantage of the remaining time and sign up, noting that turnout, though improving, remains below expectations.
“I urge all eligible Kenyans to come forward and register now because time is running out and the current turnout remains significantly low,” said IEBC Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan said earlier.
He emphasised that the commission would not extend the exercise, calling on wananchi to act with urgency.
“We must intensify our efforts in these final days. There will be no extension, and every eligible voter must take personal responsibility to ensure they are registered,” he added.
Despite concerns over low turnout, the IEBC has reported notable progress midway through the exercise. According to the commission, over 1.37 million new voters had been registered between March 30 and April 16, signalling growing public interest, particularly among young people.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon attributed the surge largely to first-time voters, describing it as a positive sign of increased civic engagement across the country.
In addition to new registrations, the commission recorded 92,602 voter transfers, where individuals opted to change their polling stations or constituencies, as well as 1,969 updates of voter details.
The IEBC reiterated that voter registration remains a critical pillar in strengthening democratic participation and urged Kenyans not to wait until the last minute.
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