IEBC will review nomination rules from 105 political parties ahead of the 2027 General Election.
IEBC will review the certified rules over 14 days before issuing compliance certificates or directing parties to make changes.
A total of 105 fully registered political parties submitted their IEBC nomination rules before the November 6, 2026 deadline. The submissions form part of preparations for the August 10, 2027 General Election.
In a statement issued on November 11, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission confirmed it had closed the submission process. The rules set out how parties plan to select their candidates for the polls.
IEBC nomination rules face 14-day review
The commission will now examine the submissions during a 14-day review to determine whether they meet legal requirements. Its assessment will check compliance with the Constitution, the Elections Act and election regulations.
Specifically, IEBC will examine candidate eligibility, nomination procedures and how party members will participate in selecting candidates. The review will also consider gender inclusion and the representation of special interest groups.
In addition, the commission will assess the internal channels parties have established to resolve nomination disputes. These mechanisms form part of the rules governing each party’s candidate selection process.
However, IEBC said receiving a party’s rules does not amount to approval. Parties will know their compliance status after the review period ends.
Compliance certificates and nomination deadlines
Parties whose rules meet the requirements will receive certificates of compliance. Meanwhile, the commission will identify changes needed in submissions that fall short and direct those parties to amend them.
Before submission, the Registrar of Political Parties had to certify the rules by October 30. Parties then had until November 6 to forward the certified documents to IEBC for consideration.
Only fully registered political parties could take part in this process. Consequently, groups without full registration by the deadline could not submit their nomination rules.
The exercise comes as political parties prepare for primaries ahead of the national vote. Electoral laws require them to conduct nominations at least 45 days before the general election.
