2027 Polls: IEBC Directs Parties to File Officials’ Names and Signatures by October 15

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has directed political parties planning to field candidates in the 2027 General Election to submit the names and specimen signatures of their authorised officials by 15 October.

The documents must be submitted at the commission’s headquarters at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi as part of the initial requirements for parties preparing to participate in the election. The directive is among several deadlines the IEBC has set to guide political parties through the electoral process ahead of the scheduled poll on 10 August 2027. 

The commission is seeking to ensure that parties complete key administrative and legal requirements within the prescribed timelines. By requiring parties to identify their authorised officials early, the IEBC aims to establish clear channels of communication and accountability as preparations for the election progress.

Another deadline falls at the end of October, when political parties are expected to have their nomination rules certified by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties. These rules govern how parties select candidates and must comply with constitutional and statutory requirements.

The certification process is important because party nominations have frequently been a source of disputes during previous election cycles. The rules should clearly establish how candidates will be selected, whether through competitive primaries, direct nominations or consensus.

They must also provide procedures for resolving disputes arising during nominations. Clear rules and effective dispute resolution mechanisms can help parties address disagreements before they escalate into court cases or internal divisions.

Under the IEBC schedule, parties must submit their approved nomination rules to the commission by November 2026. Rules that have not been certified or do not meet legal requirements may be rejected, potentially affecting a party’s ability to present candidates for the election.

The electoral timetable also requires public officers seeking elective positions to resign from their government jobs by February 2027. The requirement is intended to promote fair competition by preventing public officials from using state resources or the influence of their offices to gain an advantage during campaigns.

The deadlines come amid an ongoing constitutional dispute over the timing of Kenya’s next General Election. A recent High Court ruling indicated that the election should have been held in August 2026. However, implementation of the decision was suspended, leaving the existing electoral timetable in place.

Under the Constitution, general elections are held on the second Tuesday of August every fifth year. The scheduled date for the 2027 election therefore remains 10 August, subject to any further legal developments.