IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon addresses a press conference on July 14, 2026/SCRRENGRAB
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has warned voters in Ol Kalou Constituency against carrying mobile phones into polling booths to photograph their marked ballot papers during Thursday's parliamentary by-election.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the practice is illegal and could attract hefty fines or imprisonment.
Ethekon issued the warning on the eve of the by-election, urging voters to uphold the secrecy of the ballot and comply with the law.
Addressing a press conference, Ethekon recalled that during previous elections, the commission observed cases where voters took photographs of their marked ballot papers and shared them on social media, undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
"We saw individuals took pictures of marked ballots and circulated them on social media," Ethekon said.
"We wish to remind Kenyans and voters of Ol Kalou, please do not take a picture of your ballot once you mark it, once you select the person you want to be your MP."
The IEBC chairperson said the secrecy of the vote is a fundamental principle of Kenya's electoral system and that voters should keep their choices private.
He explained that photographing and sharing marked ballot papers defeats the purpose of secret voting by exposing an individual's electoral choice.
"The sanctity and secrecy of the vote requires that you keep it secret. That is why it is very important that we facilitate you to vote by way of secret ballot. It will defeat the purpose if you again make that ballot public," he said.
Ethekon warned that the offence is punishable under Section
7 of the Elections Offences Act, which prohibits the disclosure of how a person
has voted.
"It is against Section 7 of the Elections Offences Act. You shall actually be prosecuted and, if found guilty, you pay a fine of up to Sh1 million," he said.
"We need to tell Kenyans that this matter is very serious. Besides that Sh1 million, the offending party can also be imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years, for a simple act of taking a picture of your vote."
He said some voters may be tempted to photograph their ballots to demonstrate loyalty to a candidate or for other undisclosed benefits, but insisted that such actions are unlawful.
The warning comes as voters in Ol Kalou Constituency prepare to elect a new Member of Parliament in a by-election that has drawn national political attention ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The contest is widely viewed as an early test of the strength of the country's major political formations in the Mt Kenya region, with parties seeking to demonstrate their popularity in Nyandarua County.
Candidates have spent the past several weeks campaigning across the constituency, promising to improve road infrastructure, create employment opportunities for young people, support farmers and expand access to education and healthcare.
