The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has directed political parties planning to participate in the 2027 General Election to submit the names and sample signatures of their authorised officials by Thursday, October 15.
In a notice, the commission said the requirement applies to all political parties intending to take part in the elections scheduled for August 10, 2027.
“Political Parties intending to participate in the 2027 General Election shall submit the names and specimen signatures of their authorized persons on or before Thursday 15th October, 2026,” IEBC stated.
The documents are to be delivered to the commission’s offices at Anniversary Towers, on the seventh floor of the South Tower in Nairobi, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.
The directive is anchored in a gazette notice dated August 20, which outlines timelines for preparations for elections for all elective positions, including the presidency, governors, senators, Members of the National Assembly, women representatives and Members of County Assemblies (MCAs).
IEBC Sets More Deadlines Ahead of 2027 Polls
Political parties have also been given deadlines for submitting their nomination rules as preparations for the next General Election gather pace.
The commission requires parties to have their nomination rules certified by the Registrar of Political Parties by October 30, 2026, before submitting them to IEBC by November 6.
The notice further warns aspirants against participating in public fundraisers or harambees after December 9, 2026, stating that those who violate the requirement will be disqualified from contesting.
Public officers seeking elective positions must resign by February 10, 2027. The same date has been set for political parties and candidates to open campaign financing accounts and share the details.
According to IEBC, the deadline for submission of party membership lists is set to be April 12, 2027.
Party primaries should be held, and any party issues sorted by May 8, 2027. Candidates who are not affiliated to any particular political party should also resign from their respective political parties by the said date.
Presidential candidates will have to get signatures of at least 2,000 voters in the majority of counties by May 24, 2027.
Campaigns to Start in May 2027
From the schedule, campaigns for presidency, senators, and national assembly candidates will start on May 29, 2027, up to August 7, 2027.
Campaigning will be permitted during the period from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm every day.
These timelines have been issued days after rejection by Parliament of at least three IEBC proposals for amendment of election laws prior to the 2027 General Election.
The proposed changes faced opposition over concerns about the timing of their implementation, costs and constitutional issues.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah led opposition to proposed reforms touching on voter limits at polling stations, MCA nominations and disputes arising from party primaries.
The opposition also vowed to remove a contested provision in the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
