IEBC Sued Over Changes to 2027 Ballot Papers

Jukwaa

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Omtatah, who leads the National Reconstruction Alliance (NRA) Party, wants the court to review and quash the changes, arguing that IEBC has not demonstrated that the revised specifications will provide equivalent or better protection against electoral malpractice.

The dispute stems from Tender No. IEBC/OIT/02/2026-2027, which IEBC advertised on August 11, 2026, for the supply of ballot papers and other electoral materials.

The commission later introduced what it described as “technical relaxation to optimise cost and timelines” through Addendum No. 3/Clarifications dated September 17, 2026.

📌 What You Need to Know

The changes include replacing multi-coloured serial numbers with single-colour black numbers, variable guilloche patterns with static designs, variable micro-text with static micro-text, and metallic foil stamping with blind embossing without metallic foil.

However, watermarks, ultraviolet elements and anti-duplication QR codes remain mandatory under the revised specifications.

During Omtatah’s press briefing, he said the party was concerned that the cumulative effect of the changes had not been shown to preserve the same level of security as the original requirements.

"We are not claiming the changes automatically made ballot papers insecure or that the commission intended to facilitate electoral malpractice," the party instead claims, saying the state court challenge was intended to secure accountability.

"The changes are raising constitutional questions under Article 38, 81, and 86, which address political rights and require elections to be free, fair, secure, accurate, transparent and verifiable," the party argued.

Omtatah is asking the court to preserve the original security specifications and require an objective, independent technical assessment before having the revised requirements implemented without having evidence or superior protection.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke

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