The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has released guidelines outlining how votes will be counted and results declared following the close of polling in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
In a notice issued on Thursday, July 16, the commission said vote counting begins immediately after polling stations close at 5:00 p.m., with presiding officers opening ballot boxes, counting ballots and tabulating results at each polling station in the presence of party agents, election observers and the media.
The IEBC said the process is designed to be open and transparent, allowing accredited stakeholders to witness every stage of the vote count.
“After the close of polling at 5:00 pm, the Presiding Officer in full view of agents, observers, and the media will open the ballot box, count the ballots and tabulate the results at the polling station in an open and transparent process,” the commission stated.
To enhance transparency, party agents will be allowed to photograph the official results forms before they are transmitted. Copies of the forms will also be displayed at polling stations for public viewing.
According to the commission, Returning Officers will receive results from Presiding Officers, verify and collate them before announcing the constituency results and officially declaring the winner in the presence of party agents and other accredited stakeholders.
The electoral agency also warned that only individuals authorised by law will be allowed inside polling stations during the counting process.
It emphasised that there is no legal provision for so-called "super agents" or any unauthorised individuals, including political party leaders, to operate within polling stations or tallying centres.
“Only accredited persons with identification and badges are allowed to access tallying centres and observe the tallying and declaration of results,” the IEBC said.
While acknowledging that senior political and elected leaders may wish to observe the tallying process, the commission urged them to respect the integrity of tallying centres and cooperate with election officials and security personnel.
The IEBC also cautioned against any actions that could interfere with or delay the tallying process and the announcement of results.
The guidelines were issued as voting concluded in the closely watched Ol Kalou by-election, which has attracted national attention amid intense political competition.
The race is largely expected to be between United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Nyagah and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Kamau Ngotho, although several other candidates are also on the ballot.
The by-election has been closely monitored across the country following a heated campaign period marked by allegations of voter bribery, incidents of violence and claims of political intimidation.