The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced a ban on mobile phones in polling stations ahead of the by-elections scheduled for Thursday, February 26.
The commission cited past incidents where voters photographed marked ballots and shared them on social media, undermining ballot secrecy and the integrity of the electoral process.
Such acts can expose voters to coercion, undue influence, and vote-buying, and are considered electoral offences.
Mobile Phones Prohibited in Polling Stations, Says IEBC Ahead of By-Elections. Photo: Courtesy.
The mobile phone restriction is being enforced under administrative control measures at polling stations and aligns with Articles 38(3)(b) and 81(e)(i) of the Constitution, which safeguard citizens’ democratic rights and protect the electoral process from manipulation.
The Constitution guarantees citizens the right to make free political choices, including participating in political activities, recruiting members, and campaigning for political parties.
These rights are essential for a functioning democracy and the proper selection of representatives. Under Article 81(e)(i), elections must be free, fair, transparent, and conducted by an independent body, ensuring the integrity of the voting process and prohibiting violence or undue influence.
The provision also upholds universal suffrage and gender equality, requiring that no more than two-thirds of elective body members be of the same gender.
To safeguard these rights, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will enforce administrative controls at all polling stations during the upcoming by-elections in Isiolo, Kakamega, and Embu counties.
The upcoming by-elections aim to fill four vacant positions: the Member of the National Assembly seat for Isiolo South Constituency in Isiolo County, and three County Assembly seats for West Kabras Ward in Kakamega County.
In Embu County, voters will elect Members of the County Assembly (MCA) for Muminji and Evurore wards within Mbeere North Constituency.
To bolster security, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has deployed two uniformed police officers to each polling station, with additional personnel stationed at tallying centres.
The commission also clarified that only polling station agents may photograph the original results forms, ensuring transparency while maintaining ballot secrecy.
