State Department Clarifies Elections Bill Retains IEBC Result Livestreaming Requirement

The State Department for Parliamentary Affairs has clarified that the Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, retains the legal requirement for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to establish mechanisms for real-time livestreaming of election results ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In an official statement released on Saturday, October 24, 2026, Parliamentary Affairs Principal Secretary Dr. Aurelia Rono dismissed reports alleging that the National Assembly had removed the livestreaming requirement, confirming that the statutory mandate remains untouched.

PS Rono explained that the National Assembly specifically deleted a proposed clause in the bill to protect Section 39 of the Elections Act, which governs the determination, transmission, and declaration of election results.

“Contrary to these reports, the amendment passed by the National Assembly retains the requirement on the IEBC to establish a mechanism for the livestreaming of election results,” Dr. Rono stated.

Alignment with High Court Ruling

The clarification follows the passage of the bill by the National Assembly on Thursday, October 22, 2026, after public participation and consultations conducted by the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

Dr. Rono noted that Clause 22 of the Senate version had initially proposed replacing Section 39. However, the National Assembly removed Clause 22 in deference to a High Court ruling delivered on September 22, 2026 (Okoiti & another v IEBC & 5 others), which affirmed the constitutionality of Section 39 and Regulation 83(2) of the Elections (General) Regulations.

“Cognisant of the guidance of the High Court, the National Assembly deleted Clause 22 to ensure the retention of Section 39 as it is currently provided for in the Elections Act and also retained the requirement for livestreaming as provided for under Section 39(1G),” PS Rono added.

Broader Electoral Reforms in the Bill

Beyond result transmission, the Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill introduces key procedural updates to the electoral framework:

• Voter Register Inspection: Ensures public access to the voters’ register, barring specified quiet periods immediately preceding elections or referenda.

• Party Primaries & Nominations: Removes mandatory IEBC management of political party primaries while offering political parties greater operational flexibility in candidate selection for elective and party-list slots.

• Targeted Voter Registration Suspensions: Restricts voter registration freezes during by-elections exclusively to the affected electoral boundaries, ensuring voters registered during a freeze cannot contest that specific by-election.

• Recall Procedure Alignments: Revises procedures for recalling Members of Parliament to strictly align with constitutional standards and promotes substantive justice in resolving electoral disputes.

Following its passage with amendments in the National Assembly, the bill returns to the Senate for consideration pursuant to Article 110(4) of the Constitution. PS Rono urged members of the public to verify legislative details through official parliamentary records amid ongoing public debate.