The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of Kenya has suspended the procurement process for ballot papers and other essential election materials for the 2027 General Election. This decision was made on September 29, 2026, after a request for review was filed with the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board. The tender, which involves the production and supply of ballot papers, tactile folders, voter registers, and statutory forms, has been put on hold pending the review process.
The IEBC is working on several preparations for the 2027 General Election, and the procurement of materials is a crucial step that must be completed ahead of polling. The items have to be prepared, produced, checked, and moved to polling centers across the country. The suspension means that companies interested in supplying the materials will have to wait for further communication from the electoral agency as the review process continues. The IEBC has not named the party behind the review or given details of the complaints or issues raised over the procurement.
The tender includes the production of ballot papers with advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting, copying, or replacement. The IEBC estimates that up to 180 million ballot papers may be needed for the 2027 polls, covering the six elective positions. The commission expects the number of polling stations to increase from 46,229 recorded in 2022 to about 55,000. The number of registered voters is also projected to reach 28.4 million. The ballot papers will have distinct colors for each elective position, including white for presidential, green for National Assembly, and yellow for Senate.
The ballot papers will contain several security features, including a watermark, an IEBC logo visible under ultraviolet light, and a 'Copy' mark that appears when photocopied or scanned. Other features include guilloche patterns, micro-text, embossed details, and unique QR codes carrying variable information. The papers will also have tapered serial numbers printed using multi-colored ink and will be perforated. The size of the ballot papers will depend on the number of candidates contesting a particular seat.
Apart from ballot papers, the tender covers tactile folders intended to assist voters with visual disabilities, the register of voters, and statutory election result declaration forms. The register will be used to identify eligible voters, while the statutory forms will be used during the declaration and transmission of results. The suspension has put the procurement on hold as the review process is considered, with the 2027 elections less than 10 months away.
Acting IEBC Commission Secretary and CEO Ruth Kulundu has advised prospective suppliers to regularly monitor the Public Procurement Information Portal and the Commission's website for any further updates or communication regarding the tender. The IEBC has not indicated when the tender will resume or when a decision will be made on the next stage of the procurement. A request for review filed before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board can stop a procurement process while the dispute is being handled.
The IEBC is working to ensure that the 2027 General Election is conducted smoothly and securely. The commission has been taking steps to enhance the integrity of the electoral process, including the procurement of materials with advanced security features. The suspension of the tender is a temporary setback, and the IEBC is expected to provide further updates on the procurement process in due course.
Key points
- The IEBC has suspended the procurement of ballot papers and other election materials due to a review request filed with the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board.
- The tender includes the production of ballot papers with advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting, copying, or replacement.
- The suspension has put the procurement on hold, affecting preparations for the 2027 General Election, which is less than 10 months away.
