How to register to vote.
If you're a Kenyan citizen and 18 or older, registering takes about ten minutes and costs nothing. Here's exactly what to carry, who qualifies, and what happens at the desk — based on IEBC's official process.
Already registered? You don't need to do it again.
If you registered as a voter at any point and your details haven't changed, your registration still stands — you don't re-register for each election. The one thing worth doing is confirming your details are correct and your polling station is where you expect. That takes a few seconds on the IEBC portal.
Who qualifies
EligibilityEligibility to register is set by Article 83 of the Constitution and the Elections Act. You qualify if all of these are true:
What to carry
DocumentsIEBC accepts only the original of one of two documents. Nothing else works at the desk — so check this before you travel.
✓ Accepted
- ✓Your original National ID card
- ✓A valid Kenyan passport
✕ Not accepted
- ✕Photocopies of any document
- ✕An ID waiting card
- ✕A police abstract for a lost ID
- ✕Any other form of identification
The process, step by step
At the registration centreRegistration is done in person and is free of charge. Here's what happens from the moment you arrive.
Go to a registration centre
Present yourself in person at an IEBC constituency office or an authorised registration centre during working hours. Registration also happens at Huduma Centres and, during registration drives, at points like schools and markets. You register in the constituency where you intend to vote.
Your document is verified
Hand your original National ID or passport to the registration officer. They confirm the document is genuine and that you're not already on the register.
Fill Form A
Complete Form A, the official application form. If you're unable to fill it yourself, the officer will help you.
Your biometrics are captured
The officer records your fingerprints and takes a passport-size photo, along with your name and ID or passport number. This gives you a unique entry so no one can be registered twice.
Confirm your details and keep your slip
Review what's been captured and confirm it's correct. You'll receive an acknowledgement slip with a unique voter reference number, and you'll be told where you will vote. Keep the slip — though for voting itself you only need your ID or passport, not the slip.
Verify your status any time
Once you're registered, you can confirm your details and polling station whenever you like through the IEBC portal at verify.iebc.or.ke. It's worth a quick check before every election.
A faster option may be coming
IEBC has announced plans for digital pre-registration, where you would fill your personal details online first, then visit a registration or Huduma Centre only to give your fingerprints — cutting the time at the desk to a few minutes.
Until that goes live nationwide, the in-person process above is the one that applies. We'll update this page with the official link the moment IEBC publishes it.
Quick questions
The things people askDoes registering cost anything?
No. Voter registration is free at every IEBC registration point. If anyone asks you to pay, that's not part of the official process.
I've moved to a new area. What do I do?
You don't register again — you transfer. During a registration period you can move your details to your new electoral area using the transfer process (Form D). Registering fresh in a second place is an offence and can cancel both entries.
Do I need to re-register for the 2027 election?
Not if you're already registered and your details are current. Registration carries over between elections. The useful step is to verify your details rather than register again.
My ID is lost and I only have a waiting card. Can I register?
Not with the waiting card. IEBC requires the original National ID or a valid passport — waiting cards, photocopies and police abstracts aren't accepted. You'd need to collect your ID first.
Where is my nearest registration centre?
IEBC publishes the list of constituency offices and registration points on its official website and social media channels. Registration is open at constituency offices during official working hours.
Process and requirements on this page are drawn from IEBC's official communications and Kenya's Elections Act. Always confirm current details on the IEBC website.
Start by checking where you stand
Whether you think you're registered or you're just starting out, the first move is the same: confirm your status on the IEBC roll. It takes seconds.