The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has issued a final call to Kenyans to register as voters as the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise closes today.
In a statement, the Commission urged eligible citizens who have not yet registered to take advantage of the last day, emphasising that the process has been made more accessible than ever before.
IEBC noted that voters are no longer required to travel to their home counties to be enlisted.
“Today marks the end of ECVR! Register as a Voter Today! 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 centre near you,” IEBC said.
The open kits system allows citizens to register for any polling station nationwide from the registration centre closest to them.
This move aims to increase voter participation by removing geographic barriers that have historically limited access to voter registration services.
IEBC officials reiterated that voter registration is a critical civic responsibility and a cornerstone of democratic participation.
The Commission has been conducting nationwide mobilisation campaigns to encourage youth and first-time voters in particular to enlist before the deadline.
As the exercise concludes, IEBC is expected to compile and audit the newly registered voters before updating the national voters’ roll in preparation for the upcoming electoral processes.
Kenyans who have not yet registered are being urged to visit the nearest registration centre before the close of business today to secure their chance to participate in future elections.
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.
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.
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