IEBC directs voters who registered before 2012 to enrol afresh
By Kiprono Keileb, April 3, 2026The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced progress in the ongoing nationwide voter registration exercise while clarifying that Kenyans who registered before 2012 must enrol afresh to be included in the current biometric register.
In a statement shared on X on Friday, April 3, 2026, the commission said the current biometric Register of Voters (RoV) came into operation in 2012 after the promulgation of the 2010 constitution.
“The current biometric Register of Voters (RoV) came into operation in 2012 upon the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010; the enactment of the Elections Act, which introduced biometric voter registration as a key electoral reform measure and boundaries delimitation of 2012,” the statement read in part.
The commission rolled out the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise on March 30, 2026, and will run for 30 days and close on April 28, 2026, in all the 1,450 County Assembly Wards and other registration centres.
“As you are aware, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission rolled out the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise on 30th March 2026. It will run for 30 days and close on 28th April 2026 in all the 1,450 County Assembly Wards (CAWs), institutions of higher learning, Huduma Centres, the Customer Experience Centre at Anniversary Towers, and Constituency Offices. The theme for this exercise is: Deepening Democracy in Kenya Through Inclusive Voter Registration,” the statement reads.
The commission stated that the registration drive is an important milestone as it prepares for the next year’s General Elections. The Commission further explained that its target for this ECVR exercise is to enlist 2.5 million new voters into the Register of Voters.
“This nationwide mass registration drive is a critical milestone as we prepare for the 2027 General Elections. The Commission’s target for this ECVR exercise is to enlist 2.5 million new voters into the Register of Voters (RoV). We thank all Kenyans who have turned up to register, transfer their registration, or update their particulars,” the statement reads.
The IEBC explained that the total initial figures during the launch of ECVR were 273,498, adding that as of Thursday, April 2, 2026, newly registered voters were 344,316, Transfers were 18,610 and Change/update of particulars were 329.
“On September 29, 2025, we launched the constituency-based voter registration, and as of March 30, 2026, when we launched ECVR, the total figures were 273,498. With regards to the ongoing ECVR, below are the figures as of yesterday, Thursday, April 2, 2026: Newly registered voters: 344,316 ii. Transfers: 18,610 iii. Change/update of particulars: 329 A detailed county-by-county breakdown of the registration statistics is annexed to this release,” the statement reads.
Where to register
The commission also addressed concerns about where people can register and clarified that citizens are not restricted to their home counties when enrolling as voters.
“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 from any registration centre and vote at their preferred polling centre across Kenya,” the statement reads.
The IEBC further stressed the urgency of the exercise, warning that there will be no extension beyond the set deadline and urging Kenyans to act within the remaining days.
“Registration Dates During this ECVR period, registration will take place daily, including public holidays and weekends. We, therefore, urge Kenyans to take advantage of the Easter holidays and register. Please note only 25 days remain as this ECVR will close on 28th April 2026. You are reminded that there will be no extension. Thereafter, registration will revert to the constituency offices. Therefore, the time to register is now. Please go out and register,” the statement reads.
IEBC concluded by making an appeal to young people and first-time voters to take advantage of the exercise and be part of shaping the country’s leadership.
“The Commission calls upon all eligible Kenyans who are yet to register, particularly young people, including Gen Z and first-time voters, to take advantage of this opportunity to be included in the Register of Voters. Our primary mission during this window is simple: “kuwakatia KADI” (to ensure you get that voter’s card).”