IEBC Reveals Why You Can’t Photograph An Already Marked Ballot Paper
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has moved to explain why it has prohibited voters from photographing ballot papers during voting, saying the restriction is meant to protect the secrecy of the ballot ahead of the 2027 General Election.
IEBC Commissioner Ann Nderitu said the commission would however allow the use of phones for other activities at polling stations, including photographing official results forms after votes have been counted and announced.
“The only thing that you cannot take a photo of is the photo of the ballot paper when somebody is voting, and even when you are counting, because the elections according to the Constitution of Kenya is by secret ballot,” Nderitu said.
She was speaking on Citizen TV on Sunday night during a discussion on preparations for the 2027 elections.
Nderitu said the commission had used administrative measures during recent by-elections to ensure voters cast their ballots privately and leave polling stations without photographing their marked ballot papers or those of other voters.
She said the same approach would apply during the General Election to protect the secrecy of a voter’s choice.
Nderitu said election agents and observers would be allowed to photograph results forms once votes had been counted, results announced and the forms completed.
“When it comes to the counting of votes, we even allow the agents to take the photo of the form,” she said.
She said the completed results forms would also be made available to the public through the IEBC results portal, while copies would be displayed at polling stations.
The commissioner said this would allow Kenyans to access results from individual polling stations rather than relying only on officials or agents present during the counting process.
“Immediately the results are tallied and counted and the result forms are filled, they become public document,” Nderitu said.
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Nderitu said results would be transmitted from polling stations to the public portal, with copies of the forms also pinned at the polling station.
The distinction between a ballot paper and a results form, she said, is based on the need to protect the secrecy of how an individual voter cast their ballot while making the final results publicly accessible.
Nderitu also said results declared at the polling station are final under the law.
“The law says that results at the polling station are final,” she said.
She added that where an agent or observer identifies an error in a results form, it can be recorded for purposes of raising a dispute, but the original result recorded at the polling station cannot simply be changed.
The explanation comes as the commission continues preparations for the August 10, 2027 General Election, including voter registration and public sensitisation on electoral procedures.
IEBC Reveals Why You Can’t Photograph An Already Marked Ballot Paper
