NAIROBI, Kenya – The High Court has been asked to compel the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to disclose key details of its preparations for the 2027 General Election, including the locations of polling and tallying centres and procedures for identifying voters.
Petitioner Francis Awino wants the electoral commission to provide detailed information on its planned electoral venues and voter-verification systems, arguing that voters, candidates, political parties and observers should have access to critical information well before election day.
The case follows a written information request Awino says he submitted to the IEBC on September 16, 2026. The commission received the request on September 18, according to reports on the matter.
Awino Wants National Tallying Centre Details
Awino is asking the court to require the IEBC to state whether it has already designated a national tallying centre for the 2027 election.
If one has been selected, he wants the commission to disclose its name, physical location, geographical coordinates, date of designation, legal basis and any Gazette Notice relating to the facility.
He is also seeking information on how the centre would be managed, including procedures for receiving, tallying, verifying and keeping election results and electoral materials.
The request extends to the comparison and aggregation of Forms 34A, 34B and 34C, the handling of discrepancies and the access available to candidates, political parties, agents, observers, the media and the public.
“The national tallying centre is a constitutionally material link in the electoral process,” Awino states in his petition.
Petitioner Wants Polling Stations Mapped
Awino is also challenging what he describes as insufficient disclosure about the locations of polling stations and tallying centres.
He wants the IEBC to publish precise geographical coordinates and other details of the facilities at least six months before the election.
His request includes the official name and code of each polling station, its county, constituency and ward, physical location, geographical coordinates, accessibility and the institution hosting the polling station.
He argues that early disclosure would allow electoral stakeholders to identify the facilities, assess their accessibility and raise concerns before polling day.
Awino is also seeking Gazette Notices, maps, datasets and other records concerning the designation, relocation, addition or removal of electoral venues.
Biometric Voter Identification Under Spotlight
A major part of the case concerns how voters will be identified if biometric verification fails.
Awino wants the IEBC to disclose the procedures that will apply where a voter’s biometric details cannot be read, an electronic identification device malfunctions or connectivity problems interfere with verification.
He is seeking access to the commission’s manuals, circulars, standard operating procedures, training materials and other records relating to voter identification and verification.
“Biometric voter verification is the most objective, accurate and auditable primary process,” Awino says in his supporting affidavit.
He is also seeking information on the public verification of the Register of Voters, including the timetable, access locations, reconciliation process and public-notification arrangements.
Awino Seeks Orders Against Undisclosed Changes
The petitioner has asked the court to restrain the IEBC from implementing any undisclosed or materially altered protocols concerning the national tallying centre and voter verification while the case is pending.
He also wants the commission to account for what action it took after receiving his September 16 information request.
Under the proposed orders, the IEBC would be required to state whether a national tallying centre has been designated, selected, proposed, reserved or otherwise identified for the 2027 election and whether written protocols governing its operations exist.
Case Anchored on Access to Information
Awino has based his case on constitutional rights relating to political participation, access to information, fair administrative action and the conduct of elections.
He has also cited the Elections Act, the IEBC Act and electoral regulations.
The petitioner relies on the Court of Appeal’s 2017 Maina Kiai decision, which addressed the finality of presidential results declared at polling stations and constituency tallying centres.
His broader argument is that electoral procedures affecting voters’ rights should be documented, authorised by law and disclosed sufficiently early to allow public scrutiny.
Court Declines to Certify Case as Urgent
Despite the request for urgent intervention, Justice R.E. Aburili declined to certify the matter as urgent.
“I find no urgency disclosed in the petition, notice of motion and the certificate of urgency,” the judge said in directions issued on September 21.
The judge directed Awino to serve the IEBC, its chairperson, the Attorney General and the Law Society of Kenya.
The respondents have 15 days to respond, after which Awino will have another 15 days to file further affidavits and submissions.
The case is scheduled to be mentioned on November 9, 2026, for further directions on the petition and the application for conservatory orders.
