The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has proposed legal and administrative reforms to cut down on election nomination disputes ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement, the IEBC said the recommendations appear in its Pre-Election Dispute Resolution (Pre-EDR) Report released on Thursday, July 9, 2026. The report reviewed complaints from the 2022 electoral cycle and identified gaps in the existing legal framework that governs party nominations and candidate registration.
Among the proposals, the IEBC wants to extend the timeline for resolving pre-election disputes. It recommended increasing the current 10-day determination period to 14 working days to give officials enough time to hear and settle cases.
“From the launch, the Commission recommends an extension of the timeline by increasing the 10-day determination period to 14 working days and the filing time from 24 hours from the occurrence of the dispute to 72 hours from the last day of candidate registration”, IEBC said.
IEBC also wants to extend the deadline for filing pre-election complaints. It proposes moving the current 24 hours after a dispute occurs to 72 hours after the close of candidate registration. The Commission said the adjustment would give aggravated parties enough time to prepare and submit their complaints, while ensuring that disputes get resolved before the election calendar moves on.
The IEBC also recommended harmonizing how the terms “nomination” and “party nomination” are interpreted under the Elections Act and the Political Parties Act (PPA). The Commission said inconsistent interpretations of the two terms have contributed to confusion and to increased litigation during the nomination process.
To strengthen the handling of cases where candidates seek elective office after leaving public service, IEBC proposed stricter proof of resignation. Instead of relying on resignation letters alone, the Commission said it should require a certificate of service issued under Section 51 of the Employment Act to confirm that a candidate has formally left employment. IEBC said the proposal would help close loopholes that have, in some instances, allowed questionable resignation documents to be used during nominations.
The Commission also recommended stronger awareness of candidates before the nomination period begins. It said candidates should receive briefings during pre-nomination meetings on the importance of meeting submission timelines for nomination papers, so they avoid delays and comply with the published schedules for candidate registration.
IEBC said the proposed reforms aim to improve the integrity of the nomination process, reduce avoidable disputes, and enhance the effectiveness of pre-election dispute resolution as preparations for the 2027 General Election build up.
