Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials on Thursday warned voters and political agents against taking photographs of ballot papers during the ongoing by-elections, saying the move threatens the secrecy and integrity of the vote.
In a statement shared on its platforms, the Commission said photography inside polling booths is illegal and amounts to voter intimidation and breach of electoral law. “No one is allowed to take pictures of ballot papers at polling stations. The secrecy and integrity of the individual vote must be preserved at all times. Any breach is punishable by law,” IEBC stated.
The reminder comes amid heightened online activity, where misleading images and unverified claims have circulated as voters in several constituencies and wards cast their ballots. IEBC urged Kenyans to ignore fake news and follow official communication from the Commission.
Election officials said security teams had been instructed to enforce the rules strictly to prevent coercion, vote-buying verification, or attempts to prove voting patterns to third parties. Officers at polling stations have also been directed to bar anyone attempting to enter the booth with a phone or camera.
The Commission maintained that safeguarding the secrecy of the ballot is central to public trust in election outcomes. It added that any individual found photographing, distributing, or sharing marked ballots risks arrest and prosecution.
IEBC encouraged citizens to report suspicious incidents and assured the public that voting was progressing peacefully across the affected areas.
The by-elections are being closely watched as parties seek to gauge their influence ahead of future political contests.
