IEBC opens accreditation for voter educators, observers for upcoming by-elections
By Cy Muganda, August 6, 2025The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has opened the accreditation process for individuals seeking to participate in the upcoming by-elections and other electoral activities during the 2025/2026 Financial Year.
In a public notice posted on its X account on August 6, 2025, the Commission invited applications from organisations interested in being accredited as Voter Education Providers, Election Observers, or Media Practitioners.
“The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) invites applications from organisations wishing to be accredited as Voter Education Providers, Election Observers or Media Practitioners for the upcoming by-elections and other planned electoral activities in the 2025/2026 Financial Year,” IEBC stated.
Once accredited, IEBC announced that the organisations will undergo training and receive accreditation certificates, identification badges, and other essential support materials to facilitate their work during the electoral period.
“All interested organisations must submit their applications through the IEBC Accreditation Management System (AMS). The Commission will conduct training for all accredited organisations and issue Accreditation Certificates, Identification Badges, and other essential support materials before they begin their activities,” the notice explained.
The Commission, however, clarified that it will not provide financial compensation to accredited voter educators, observers, or media practitioners.
“The IEBC does not pay Voter Education Providers, Election Observers and Media Practitioners,” the notice stated.
According to the announcement, the deadline for submission is Friday, September 5, 2025, at 5:00 pm.
Upcoming by-elections
During the IEBC commissioners’ induction workshop in Mombasa on July 23, 2025, IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon emphasised that prioritising the conduct of by-elections for currently vacant elective seats will be essential.
“IEBC will work with Parliament and political parties to address the issues of pending by-elections in the next few days. This is our priority, given the fact that the people in those affected areas must have their elected representatives within the shortest time possible because it’s their constitutional right,” Ethekon told journalists at the time.
According to Ethekon, the upcoming by-elections will involve over 23 electoral positions, including six National Assembly seats, one senatorial position, and 16 Member of County Assembly (MCA) vacancies.
Residents of the Banisa constituency in Mandera County have faced the longest period without representation in the National Assembly, lasting over two years since the death of their MP, Kullow Hassan, in March 2023.