New York:The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) aims to enhance voting opportunities for Kenyans living abroad as part of its strategy for the 2027 General Election.
According to Kenya News Agency, IEBC Vice Chairperson Fahima Abdalla, speaking in New York during a Presidential engagement with Kenyans in the USA, emphasized the commission’s dedication to enabling more Kenyans in the diaspora to vote. The commission plans to extend voting beyond the 12 countries where it was conducted in 2022.
Currently, Kenyans abroad can vote in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Africa, South Sudan, the USA, the UK, the UAE, Qatar, Germany, and Canada. The IEBC proposes expanding this list to include Saudi Arabia, Botswana, Oman, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ghana, Italy, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Ireland, Turkey, Ethiopia, China, and Mozambique.
Abdalla highlighted the need to empower Kenyans, stating that despite legal constraints requiring elections to occur on Kenyan soil, the commission is working with other agencies to facilitate diaspora voting. The IEBC is also considering adopting electronic voting technology to reduce costs and increase participation.
The commission is preparing for the 2027 General Election, targeting a voter register of about 28.5 million. It has issued a notice in the Kenya Gazette, marking the start of the election period and the implementation of the Electoral Code of Conduct and the Election Offences Act.
Efforts to ensure a credible election include a robust Election Operations Plan and a Strategic Plan for 2024-2029. The IEBC is leveraging biometric technology for voter registration and verification, aiming to uphold the integrity of the voters’ register.
