NAIROBI, Kenya — The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has launched an international tender for the printing and delivery of ballot papers and other critical election materials ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election, marking a major step in preparations for the nationwide vote.
In a tender notice published on August 11, 2026, the electoral agency invited eligible local and international firms to bid for the supply and delivery of ballot papers, tactile folders for voters with visual impairment, registers of voters and statutory election result declaration forms.
The tender, referenced IEBC/01T/02/2026-2027, covers election materials required for all six elective positions: President, Governor, Senator, Woman Representative, Member of the National Assembly and Member of the County Assembly.
Interested firms have until September 1, 2026, at noon to submit their bids.
The commission requires each bid to be accompanied by Sh40 million in bid security, issued by a reputable financial institution or insurance company, or provided through a banker’s cheque. The security must remain valid for 270 days after the bid submission deadline.
Ballot papers and accessibility materials
The ballot paper procurement is among the most sensitive election-related tenders because of the central role printed materials play in the voting and results-management process.
The successful bidder will be responsible for producing and delivering ballot papers for the six elective positions, alongside registers of voters, statutory forms used to declare election results and tactile folders designed to assist visually impaired voters to vote independently.
The inclusion of tactile folders is intended to support accessibility and participation by voters with visual impairments.
IEBC said tender documents can be obtained from its procurement office at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi or downloaded free of charge through its official website and the government procurement portal.
Completed bids must be deposited in the tender box located on the 21st floor of Anniversary Towers before the September 1 deadline.
The bids will subsequently be opened publicly in the presence of bidders or their authorised representatives who choose to attend.
IEBC also tenders for election technology
The ballot paper tender has been advertised alongside a separate international procurement for an Election Management System (EMS).
The technology tender covers the supply, installation, testing, commissioning, support and maintenance of the system, including associated hardware and accessories.
Firms bidding for the EMS contract are required to provide Sh30 million in bid security.
The two procurement processes underline the scale of preparations required before the 2027 election, with the commission simultaneously working on physical election materials and the technological infrastructure supporting election administration.
Evaluation to follow September deadline
After the September 1 deadline, IEBC will evaluate the submitted bids in accordance with Kenya’s public procurement laws and regulations before selecting a successful contractor.
The winning firm will then undertake the production and delivery of ballot papers and the other materials covered under the contract.
The procurement comes as IEBC steps up preparations for the August 2027 General Election, including voter registration, voter education, election technology planning and other logistical arrangements.
The timing also places increased attention on the commission’s procurement processes, given the importance of transparency, accountability and stakeholder confidence in the management of election materials.
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) Kenya raised concerns about preparations for the 2027 election a day before the tender was published, calling for institutions involved in election management to identify and address emerging risks early.
The ballot paper tender will therefore be closely watched by political parties, civil society organisations and other election stakeholders as IEBC moves from planning towards the actual procurement of materials required for polling day.
