The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has released key timelines and regulations that will guide campaigns ahead of the November 27, 2025 by-elections.
In a notice signed by chairperson Erastus Ethekon, the commission declared that the official campaign period will open on October 8 and close on November 24—48 hours before polling day. Campaign activities will be restricted to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. during this window.
Ethekon further directed independent candidates to submit the names of their agents no later than 14 days before election day. This, he said, will allow sufficient time to process credentials and train agents to ensure smooth operations during voting.
A total of 23 seats will be contested: six in the National Assembly, one in the Senate, and 16 at the county assembly level. These vacancies arose from a mix of deaths, resignations, and appointments to other offices.
The commission acknowledged that constitutional timelines for holding some of the elections particularly parliamentary ones had already lapsed, and noted that the decision to set November 27 as the polling date was guided by Article 259 of the Constitution.
On matters of compliance, IEBC emphasized that all political parties, candidates, and their supporters must observe the Electoral Code of Conduct, which will apply from the publication of election notices until the swearing-in of successful candidates.
“Every political party, candidate and person who will participate in the election shall subscribe to and observe the Electoral Code of Conduct set out in the Second Schedule to the Elections Act, 2011,” the notice dated September 3 read.
The commission assured Kenyans that both logistical and legal measures are being put in place to guarantee peaceful, transparent, and credible by-elections.
