The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced a routine upgrade of its information and communication technology (ICT) systems, temporarily disrupting several online voter services, including voter search, voter transfers and updates to voter registration details.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, July 7, the electoral commission said the maintenance exercise is intended to improve the reliability, security and overall performance of its digital platforms.
The temporary disruption affects the online voter verification portal, as well as services that allow registered voters to transfer their voting stations and update their personal registration details.
"The Commission wishes to inform stakeholders and members of the public that we are currently undertaking a routine upgrade of our ICT systems to enhance reliability, security and performance of our services," IEBC said in the notice.
Despite the temporary interruption of online services, the commission assured Kenyans that physical voter registration and related services remain fully operational. Members of the public can continue accessing these services at all 290 constituency offices, selected Huduma Centres and the Customer Experience Centre located at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi.
IEBC said it will notify the public once the system upgrade is complete and the affected online services have been fully restored.
The announcement triggered mixed reactions on social media, with some Kenyans expressing frustration that the notice was issued after users had already begun experiencing difficulties accessing the online platforms.
Several users argued that planned maintenance affecting critical electoral systems should be communicated in advance to minimise inconvenience, while others called for greater transparency whenever upgrades to election-related systems are undertaken.
The maintenance comes as the commission continues implementing the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise in five electoral areas ahead of upcoming by-elections.
The registration exercise, which began on June 25, will run until July 25 in Mbeere North Constituency, Porro Ward, Endo Ward, Emurua Dikirr Constituency and Malava Constituency.
IEBC had earlier announced that eligible voters in the affected areas could register or update their details at ward-level registration centres, constituency offices, Huduma Centres, institutions of higher learning within the designated areas and at the commission's Customer Experience Centre.
Once the enhanced registration exercise concludes, the commission said Continuous Voter Registration and the regular revision of the Register of Voters will continue at constituency offices across the country on weekdays, excluding public holidays.
The commission has encouraged members of the public to use its physical service centres while the ICT upgrade is underway and assured stakeholders that the maintenance is aimed at improving the efficiency and security of its digital electoral services.