The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has rolled out the 2026 Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise.
The nationwide initiative is aimed at bringing voter registration services closer to citizens and boosting participation in the electoral process.
What is ECVR?
According to the Commission, ECVR is designed to decentralize voter registration and make it more accessible to Kenyans across the country.
“It is a Commission initiative aimed at taking voter registration services closer to the people,” IEBC states.
The exercise is open to Kenyan citizens aged 18 years and above who possess a valid national ID card or passport.
Registration timeline and locations
The registration exercise officially began on March 30, 2026, and will run until April 28, 2026, operating daily from Monday to Sunday.
Kenyans can register or access services at multiple locations, including IEBC constituency offices, ward-based centres on a rotational schedule, Huduma Centres, universities and colleges, and the IEBC Customer Experience Centre at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi.
Services available during ECVR
During the exercise, citizens can access a range of voter-related services, including:
- New voter registration
- Transfer of registration to a different electoral area
- Correction or update of personal details
- Inspection of registration records
- Access to general voter information
Requirements for registration
To register as a voter, applicants must physically present themselves at designated centres with original identification documents.
“Be in possession of an Original National ID card or a Valid Kenyan Passport… [and] physically present yourself at any registration officer,” the IEBC states.
Applicants are also required to fill Form A and allow collection of biometric and biographic data, including fingerprints, photographs, and iris scans.
Use of KIEMS kits
The registration process will be conducted using Kenya Integrated Electoral Management System (KIEMS) kits, which will be deployed across constituencies, wards, and institutions on a rotational basis.
“The Commission will use Kenya Integrated Electoral Management System (KIEMS) Kits to register eligible Kenyans as voters,” IEBC notes.
Each constituency will have at least two kits—one dedicated to new registrations and another restricted to processing transfer applications. Additional kits will be deployed in wards, Huduma Centres, universities, and the Nairobi headquarters.
No need to re-register
The IEBC has clarified that previously registered voters do not need to register again.
“If you registered between 2012 and 2026, you need NOT register again,” the Commission states.
No online registration
The Commission has also ruled out online registration, emphasizing that the process must be done physically.
“An eligible voter is required to physically present himself/herself to an IEBC registration official,” the IEBC says.
Transfer and update of details
Registered voters can transfer their registration or update their details by visiting IEBC offices. This process requires presenting original identification documents, filling Form C, and undergoing fresh biometric verification.
“A voter wishing to transfer to a different electoral area shall present themselves at the IEBC Constituency Office of their new electoral area,” the document states.
Areas excluded from registration
The exercise will not be conducted in areas with ongoing by-elections or election petitions.
Verification of voter details
Voters can confirm their registration details through the IEBC online portal or by visiting constituency offices.
“A voter can verify their details through an online voter verification portal… or a visit to the Constituency office,” IEBC notes.
The Commission has accredited observers, media practitioners, and monitors to oversee the process, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Diaspora registration
The current ECVR exercise does not cover Kenyans in the diaspora. The IEBC says a separate notice will be issued for voter registration outside the country and for prisoners.
The Commission has called on Kenyans to actively participate in the exercise and support voter registration efforts nationwide.
“Come out in large numbers to register as voters… mobilize fellow Kenyans… and maintain peace before, during, and after the ECVR period,” IEBC urges.
It also encouraged the public to report any electoral malpractice and to verify their details to ensure accuracy in the voter register.
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