The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is planning to increase the number of polling stations ahead of the August 10, 2027 General Election to accommodate an expected rise in voter numbers.
The proposed plan would increase polling stations from 46,229 used in the 2022 elections to 55,393, as the Commission targets registering an additional 6.3 million voters.
The expansion is intended to bring voting centres closer to Kenyans, reduce congestion, and improve access to polling services on Election Day.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has outlined the need to strengthen election preparedness as the Commission works towards the next polls.
The plan comes amid debate over the number of voters assigned to each polling station. The Commission has proposed raising the limit from 700 to 1,000 voters, a move that has faced resistance in the National Assembly.
Maintaining the 700-voter limit could require additional polling stations to accommodate the growing electorate, depending on the final number of registered voters and their distribution across the country.
The expansion will also require adequate funding, election officials, and materials to ensure the new stations are ready before polling day.
The Commission is expected to continue its preparations as it works to complete voter registration and put the necessary infrastructure in place for the 2027 General Election.
The final number of polling stations and registered voters will depend on the Commission’s approved plans and the outcome of the registration exercise.