The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has urged Kenyans to follow the official results of the Ol Kalou by-election through its online results portal, while outlining the procedures that will be followed to ensure a transparent vote counting and tallying process.
In a status update issued on Thursday, the Commission said polling was progressing smoothly, with 38.2 per cent voter turnout recorded by 1 p.m. Most polling stations opened at 6 a.m., and voters were encouraged to continue turning out before polling closes at 5 p.m.
How to check the results
IEBC said members of the public can access official by-election results through its online results portal:
The Commission cautioned Kenyans against relying on unverified information circulating on social media, saying the portal remains the official source of election results.
According to IEBC, counting of ballots will begin immediately after the close of polling at 5 p.m.
The Commission said each Presiding Officer will, in full view of party agents, election observers and the media, open the ballot boxes, count the ballots and tabulate the results at the polling station.
To enhance transparency, party agents will be allowed to photograph the official results declaration forms, while signed copies of the forms will be displayed publicly at every polling station.
Once polling station results have been finalized, they will be transmitted to the constituency tallying centre, where the Returning Officer will receive, verify and collate results from all polling stations before announcing the constituency totals and declaring the winner.
IEBC said only accredited persons with official identification badges will be allowed into tallying centres.
The Commission also reminded political leaders wishing to witness the tallying exercise to cooperate with election officials and security personnel, warning against any actions that could disrupt or delay the declaration of results.
“There is no provision in law for ‘super agents’ or any unauthorized persons to operate within polling or tallying centres, including leaders of political parties,” the Commission said.
It further clarified that state officers and public officers who are registered voters are only entitled to vote at their designated polling stations and are not permitted to move from one polling station to another.
IEBC reminded voters that after casting their ballots, they should leave polling stations promptly to allow others to vote and to help maintain order and security around polling centres.
The Commission also confirmed that all eligible voters continued to be identified accurately using the Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) kits.
Where polling stations experienced delays in opening or temporary interruptions, presiding officers will extend voting hours by the amount of time lost to ensure every eligible voter has an opportunity to cast a ballot.
The electoral body reminded candidates, political parties and their supporters that any disputes arising from the by-election should be handled through the courts.
“Any aggrieved party is reminded that the courts of law remain the lawful avenue for electoral dispute resolution,” IEBC said.
The Commission concluded by urging political parties, candidates, agents, the media and voters to uphold peace during and after polling and refrain from any actions that could compromise the secrecy or integrity of the vote.
IEBC said it will continue issuing updates on the progress of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election until the final results are declared.
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