The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has issued a stern warning to voters, political candidates and their supporters ahead of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, saying anyone who violates electoral laws will face prosecution.

Speaking during a press briefing ahead of the by-election scheduled for Thursday, July 16, 2026, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon cautioned voters against taking photographs of marked ballot papers, saying the practice compromises the secrecy of the ballot and attracts severe legal consequences.

“We saw individuals take pictures of marked ballots and circulated them on social media. We wish to remind Kenyans and indeed the voters of Ol Kalou, please do not take a picture of your ballot paper once you mark it.

The sanctity and the secrecy of the vote require that you keep it secret. You shall be prosecuted, and if found guilty, you will pay a fine of up to Sh1,000,000 and an imprisonment not exceeding three years,” Ethekon said.

The IEBC chair also announced that the voter register to be used during the election has already been certified and displayed at all polling stations to allow voters to verify their details before polling day.

“We have certified the voter register that will be used in Ol Kalou and is currently displayed at every polling station so that the citizens of Ol Kalou can check and verify that their names are there and if they are eligible to vote in those polling stations,” he said.

Ethekon assured voters that the Commission would safeguard the integrity of the electoral register throughout the exercise.

“As IEBC, we take the issue of the register seriously, and we will make sure that only the authentic register is being used during this election,” he stated.

The Commission also dismissed reports encouraging voters to attend polling stations without identification documents, terming the advice false and misleading.

“We heard through a section of the media, and we have investigated this matter where a certain politician has urged the citizens of Ol Kalou not to show up with their ID cards or passports. That is completely misleading. The commission is dealing with this matter decisively,” Ethekon said.

In an effort to maintain order, the IEBC warned that only accredited individuals would be allowed into polling stations.

“We shall not allow anybody or super agents to roam around our polling stations,” he said.

He further reminded political parties and supporters that campaign materials would not be permitted within polling stations.

“We wish to remind the public and supporters of political candidates that we shall not admit any person who is wearing a badge, clothing or symbol or any other item signifying support for a political party or candidate,” Ethekon said.

The IEBC chair added that politicians, regardless of their status, would not be allowed to disrupt the voting process by arriving with security details or large groups of supporters.

“We will not allow anybody, whether a senior politician or one who has not been cleared or accredited by IEBC, to come with their security or supporters to try to disturb peace at the polling station,” he said.

Ethekon concluded by assuring candidates and voters that the tallying process would be conducted openly and transparently.

“The results management and declaration process will be transparent. Agents will be allowed to take photos of Form 34A and send them to their candidates. Ballot boxes will be counted and results tabulated in an open and transparent process,” he said.