Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) runs a continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise to ensure every eligible citizen can participate in elections. Registering to vote is a crucial civic duty and is completely free of charge.
Here is a comprehensive guide on the requirements and step-by-step process for registering as a voter in Kenya.
Eligibility requirements
Before beginning the registration process, you must ensure you meet the IEBC’s strict eligibility criteria:
- Citizenship: You must be a Kenyan citizen.
- Age: You must be at least 18 years of age.
- Identification: You must be in possession of a valid Kenyan national identity card or a valid Kenyan passport.
- Legal Status: You must be of sound mind and not have been convicted of an election offense in the preceding five years.
The 5-step voter registration process
| Step | Action | Details |
| 1. Locate the Centre | Visit an IEBC Constituency Office | Go to your nearest IEBC constituency office or a designated registration center during working hours. |
| 2. Present Documents | Carry Original ID/Passport | You must carry your original national ID card or valid Kenyan passport for verification. |
| 3. Fill Out the Form | Complete the Statutory Form | You will be required to fill out the statutory application form (Form A for new registrations). |
| 4. Provide Biometrics | Give Personal and Biometric Data | An IEBC official will capture your personal details, fingerprints, and take a digital photo for your voter record. |
| 5. Receive Slip | Collect Acknowledgement Slip | You will be issued an acknowledgement slip. Keep this for your records, though note that it is not required for voting on election day. |
Other key Services and important details
The IEBC Constituency Offices offer additional services beyond new registration:
- Transfer of Registration: If you are already a registered voter but have moved, you can visit the IEBC constituency office where you wish to transfer to and apply for a change of polling station.
- Updating Details: You can also visit the office to correct or update your voter details.
- Voter Verification: After registration, you should confirm your status. You can verify your voter registration details through the IEBC’s official verification portal verify.iebc.or.ke.
- Single Registration Rule: It is an offense to register more than once. You are only allowed to register once in a constituency or registration center of your choice.