IEBC Outlines Seven-Step Voting Process Ahead of Ol Kalou By-Election
Residents of Ol Kalou Constituency are set to head to the polls on Thursday, July 16, as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) finalises preparations for the parliamentary by-election.
To ensure a transparent, orderly and efficient voting exercise, the electoral agency has released a seven-step guide outlining the process every voter will follow at polling stations across the constituency.
The commission urged eligible voters to carry either a valid national identity card or a Kenyan passport, which will be required for identification before they are allowed to vote.
Identification and Verification
The voting process begins when a voter arrives at the polling station and presents an identification document to election officials.
Once the document has been verified, polling officials will use the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kit to confirm the voter’s registration details electronically and establish eligibility to vote.
Only voters whose details are successfully verified in the register will be allowed to proceed to the next stage.
Receiving and Marking the Ballot
After verification, election officials will issue each voter with a stamped ballot paper.
The voter will then proceed to a designated voting booth, where they will privately mark the ballot paper by selecting their preferred candidate. The IEBC has emphasised that voting is conducted in complete secrecy to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
Once the ballot has been marked, the voter will fold it and place it into the appropriate ballot box.
Indelible Ink Marks Completion
Before leaving the polling station, election officials will apply indelible ink to one of the voter’s fingers. The ink serves as a security measure designed to prevent multiple voting and protect the credibility of the election.
The voting process concludes once the voter exits the polling station.
IEBC Calls for Peaceful Poll
The electoral commission has appealed to voters to observe election rules, follow instructions from polling officials and maintain peace throughout the exercise.
The Ol Kalou by-election is expected to attract significant political attention, with candidates intensifying their final campaigns ahead of Thursday’s vote.
IEBC officials have assured residents that all necessary logistical and security arrangements have been put in place to ensure a free, fair and credible election.
