IEBC Chair: Vote Rigging Nearly Impossible
The remarks aim to build public trust in Kenya’s electoral management and inform citizens that the commission is prepared to hold credible elections in 2027
Edung answered questions about ghost polling stations. He confirmed that although he had not personally seen them, there is a national operations team in the commission pursuing such reports. Photo /K24 Digital
By Juliet Jerotich
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Ethekon Edung has denied claims of stealing elections in Kenya’s elections. He explained that nobody has ever stolen any election, particularly at the presidential level.
Speaking during a media roundtable on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Edung outlined that Kenya’s voting system is extremely regulated. According to him, it does not leave room for manipulation.
“Our elections are highly controlled,” he explained to us. “We vote, we count, and we announce results. If there is a dispute, the law is explicit on how to contest it through petitions.”
Edung answered questions about ghost polling stations. He confirmed that although he had not personally seen them, there is a national operations team in the commission pursuing such reports.
“We will release the full list of gazetted polling stations. We will cross-check and authenticate all of them,” he vowed.
The IEBC chairperson once again stated that the commission is working to increase transparency in preparations for the 2027 General Election.
On claims of bias, Edung said these were more perceptions rather than proven facts. “Impartiality is sometimes an opinion,” he explained. “The process is data-driven and guided by stringent regulations.”
He reiterated that rigging elections is impossible under the current system. “Stealing votes again? I say again, it is virtually impossible with the manner that elections are conducted today,” he said.
As far as looking to the future was concerned, Edung promised to seal whichever loopholes remained in the electoral process. “By 2027, stealing votes will be completely impossible. If anyone knows weaknesses in the system, bring them out, and we will close them,” he added.
The IEBC chairman told political stakeholders that the operations of the commission are guided by facts and the law. “At IEBC, we deal with numbers, not emotions,” Edung noted, pointing out the organization’s commitment to precision and fairness.
The remarks aim to build public trust in Kenya’s electoral management and inform citizens that the commission is prepared to hold credible elections in 2027.
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