The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has dismissed allegations that it intends to prohibit the livestreaming of election results during the 2027 General Election.

Speaking at a national forum on the proposed Election Campaign Financing Regulations 2026, IEBC Chairperson Erustus Edung Ethekon branded the reports as "unfounded propaganda". He reassured the public that the Commission has neither proposed nor contemplated restrictions on live media coverage throughout the electoral process.

Full Media Access to Election Venues

Ethekon emphasized that journalists will maintain unrestricted access to polling stations, constituency tallying centres, and other election-related venues. This commitment aligns with existing electoral laws and the IEBC’s dedication to transparency and accountability.

"This commission stands for transparency and accountability, and we will be the last people to make any decision or proposal to stifle the freedom of the media," he stated.

Collaboration with Media Stakeholders

The IEBC Chairperson highlighted the Commission’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Kenya Media Sector Working Group, which includes the Kenya Editors Guild and the Kenya Union of Journalists. This partnership facilitates comprehensive coverage of elections by the media.

Context of the Allegations

The clarifications come amid circulating claims that the IEBC had submitted proposals to Parliament seeking to ban live streaming of election results. These claims have been refuted by the Commission.

Legal experts, including veteran lawyer Paul Muite, have criticized the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes removing the requirement for the IEBC to broadcast polling station results live. They warn that such changes could undermine transparency and shake public confidence ahead of the elections.

The Bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo, aims to replace live public feeds with an electronic transmission system from polling stations to tallying centres.

Constitutional lawyer Bobby Mkangi also expressed concern that the amendments might reverse progress by diluting the constitutional mandate for transparency through real-time results transmission.

IEBC's Position on Transparency

Edung reaffirmed the Commission’s stance that independent media oversight is essential to delivering free, fair, and credible elections.