NAIROBI, Kenya- The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has begun a statutory review of nomination rules submitted by 105 fully registered political parties ahead of the August 10, 2027 General Election.
IEBC said all 105 parties submitted their certified nomination rules by the November 6 deadline, completing a key early stage in preparations for the next national vote.
The Commission will now assess the rules within 14 days to determine whether they meet the Constitution, Elections Act, regulations and other applicable legal requirements.
The review will determine which parties receive certificates of compliance and which will be required to amend their rules before conducting primaries or other nomination processes.
Receipt does not mean approval
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the conclusion of the submission process does not amount to approval of the rules filed by political parties.
Each party’s compliance status will be decided only after the Commission completes its legal and procedural assessment.
“Receipt of the nomination rules does not constitute approval,” IEBC said, stressing that the review will establish whether the submitted frameworks meet the required standards.
The Commission said it will examine the eligibility criteria for candidates, nomination methods, participation of party members, representation of special-interest groups, gender inclusion and internal mechanisms for resolving nomination disputes.
The exercise is expected to be particularly important for aspirants and party members, since party rules often determine who can contest, how winners are selected and how disputes arising from nominations are handled.
Parties met November deadlines
The process followed an IEBC timetable that required the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties to certify nomination rules by October 30.
Political parties were then required to submit the certified documents to IEBC by November 6.
Only fully registered political parties were eligible to submit rules. Parties that had not attained full registration status by the deadline were not allowed to take part in the process.
The Commission did not list the 105 parties that submitted their rules in its statement.
Under Article 88(4)(d) of the Constitution and Section 27 of the Elections Act, IEBC is mandated to regulate the process through which political parties nominate candidates for elective positions.
Section 27 requires parties to submit their nomination rules at least six months before nominating candidates for an election.
Why the review matters
Party nominations are among the most consequential stages of an election cycle because they determine the candidates voters will eventually find on the ballot.
IEBC said compliant rules are central to promoting transparency, fairness, inclusivity and accountability in party primaries and other selection methods.
The rules are also intended to protect the participation rights of party members, aspirants and special-interest groups, while offering internal procedures for resolving disputes before they escalate into formal election petitions.
Where IEBC identifies gaps or non-compliance, the affected party will be notified and directed to make the necessary amendments in line with the law.
Parties whose rules satisfy the constitutional, statutory and regulatory requirements will receive certificates of compliance.
The review marks one of the first major administrative milestones on the road to the 2027 General Election.
IEBC said it will continue engaging political parties and other stakeholders to support transparent, fair and credible nomination processes.
