The electoral commission has admitted the long-awaited second review of constituency and ward boundaries faces a further high risk of delay.
The IEBC Strategic Plan (2024-29) warns of legal uncertainty, institutional gaps and constitutional hurdles that could derail one of its most critical mandates even after the 2027 General Election.
In the plan, the commission identifies the boundary review as a key priority but acknowledges that several obstacles must first be overcome to complete the exercise within the law.
The commission also cites delays in legislative reforms, particularly "delay in enacting the IEBC (Amendment) Bill, which included proposals for review and rules of procedures for undertaking the delimitation process."
The commission further warns that the review faces a significant constitutional risk.
Under its strategic risk assessment, IEBC categorises the "lapse of constitutional timelines for boundary delimitation" as a high-risk threat to its operations.
As a mitigation measure, the commission proposes engaging the Supreme Court on the legal, political and constitutional implications of what it terms "failed boundaries delimitation".
The process was stalled by the prolonged absence of commissioners as the commission had to be reconstituted to finalise the boundary delimitation process as per the Boundaries Review Operations Plan.
The acknowledgement highlights the uncertainty surrounding one of the commission's most politically sensitive constitutional responsibilities.
Article 89 of the Constitution requires the IEBC to review constituency and ward boundaries at intervals of between eight and 12 years, while prohibiting the exercise within the 12 months preceding a General Election.
The last review was completed in March 2012 ahead of the 2013 General Election.
Despite the challenges, the commission has retained boundary delimitation as one of its strategic objectives over the next five years.
Its plan sets the objective of "finalis[ing] the 2nd review of Constituency and Ward boundaries" through a series of technical, legal and public participation processes.
The strategy outlines an extensive programme that includes reviewing the Boundary Review Operations Plan, developing boundary delimitation reference materials and modernising the Geographic Information System laboratory. It will also prioritise validating electoral boundary data, training technical staff and updating the national electoral geodatabase.
The commission also plans to conduct 337 public hearings as part of the review process and undertake the delimitation of 1,740 electoral boundaries, underscoring the scale and complexity of the exercise.
However, the strategy warns that achieving these targets will depend on overcoming both internal and external constraints.
"Recognising the challenges that can hinder the achievement of objectives is vital. Both internal and external barriers must be addressed to improve the electoral process, foster inclusivity and maintain public trust," the commission says.
The commission identifies unresolved disputes over county, constituency and ward boundaries among the external threats that could undermine delivery of its constitutional mandate.
The warning comes as the IEBC intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Election, with voter registration, electoral reforms, technology upgrades and civic education all scheduled under the same strategic plan.
Boundary delimitation remains one of the commission's most consequential constitutional functions because changes to constituency and ward boundaries can significantly influence political representation, distribution of resources and electoral competition.
Failure to complete the review within the constitutional framework exposes the commission to fresh legal challenges and heightens political tensions as parties prepare for the 2027 polls.
The strategy notes that while IEBC remains committed to completing the second boundary review, resolving the legal questions, filling institutional gaps and securing the necessary legislative support will be crucial if the exercise is to proceed as planned.
