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**Observer group ELOG has commended the IEBC for a largely fair process in Thursday's by-elections, but flagged serious concerns over voter access, ballot secrecy, and violence that demand immediate attention ahead of 2027.**

Election observers have praised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for conducting largely free and fair by-elections on Thursday, November 27. However, significant operational flaws and security lapses have cast a shadow over the polls, prompting urgent calls for reform.
The preliminary report from the Election Observation Group (ELOG) offers a critical health check on Kenya's electoral system. While it signals a functional process, it also serves as a stark warning that systemic vulnerabilities, if left unaddressed, could undermine the credibility of the 2027 General Election.
In its assessment, ELOG rated the conduct at 93.4 per cent of polling stations as good or very good. Yet, the observer group noted this figure was “encouraging but not sufficient for full credibility,” pointing to a series of troubling incidents that marred the voting day.
Despite the positive overall rating, the by-elections, held across 22 electoral areas, were not without significant problems. ELOG's 100 roving observers documented several critical issues that impact the sanctity of the vote and a citizen's ability to participate securely.
These by-elections were widely seen as a litmus test for the reconstituted IEBC's preparedness for the high-stakes 2027 polls. Analysts and political leaders have emphasized that the commission has little room for complacency. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) issued a stark warning, stating that the country risks undoing its democratic gains if electoral violence continues unchecked.
In response to the findings, ELOG has urged the IEBC to intensify voter education, enforce strict compliance with voting procedures, and take decisive action against any breaches. The group also called on the National Police Service to expedite investigations into all violent incidents.
As the final results are tallied, the focus now shifts to whether the IEBC can implement the necessary reforms. The credibility of future elections, and by extension the stability of the nation, may depend on its ability to learn from both the successes and the failures of this electoral test.
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