IEBC defends data-sharing talks with Immigration, NRB, affirms independence

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has dismissed concerns raised by the Democratic Party (DP) over its engagement with the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services regarding voter registration data and identity verification.

In a statement issued Monday, IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon said the Commission’s collaboration with relevant government agencies is anchored in the Constitution and the Elections Act, 2011.

The Commission cited Article 88(4) of the Constitution and Sections 4 and 6 of the Elections Act, which mandate it to register voters, maintain an accurate and updated voter register, and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

IEBC emphasized that Article 249(2)(b) of the Constitution guarantees its independence, stating that constitutional commissions are not subject to direction or control by any person or authority.

According to the statement, the Commission works with lawful custodians of population data to enhance the accuracy and inclusivity of voter registration.

These include the National Registration Bureau (NRB) to verify national identity card details and confirm eligibility of citizens during voter registration and Civil Registration Services to confirm death records to facilitate lawful removal of deceased persons from the voter register.

The Directorate of Immigration Services will be to verify passport details, IEBC said noting that a Kenyan passport is a statutory identification document permissible for voter registration under Regulation 13 of the Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2012, and for Kenyans residing abroad under Regulation 34.

IEBC revealed it has been engaging the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services to establish a secure Application Programming Interface (API) link with the Integrated Population Registration System (IPRS).

The move, it said, is aimed at ensuring only legitimate ID and passport numbers are used in voter registration.

“Public agencies routinely enter into controlled data-sharing arrangements for lawful service delivery, verification and integrity purposes,” the Commission stated, adding that even regulated private institutions such as banks and telecommunications firms interface with population databases for identity verification under strict legal oversight.

IEBC maintained that the voter register remains exclusively under its custody and control, as provided for under the Constitution and the Elections Act.

The Commission further assured the public that personal voter data is safeguarded in compliance with the Constitution, the Elections Act, the Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2012, and the Data Protection Act, 2019.

IEBC urged political actors to refrain from “uncorroborated, inflammatory and divisive statements” that could undermine the integrity of electoral processes and the independence of the Commission.

The electoral body said it remains open to providing clarification to stakeholders on electoral processes.

In a statement signed by Justin Bedan Muturi, the party further alleged that IEBC Acting CEO Moses Sunkuli recently held meetings with officials from the National Registration Bureau to discuss the integration of voter data systems.

The discussions are also said to have involved potential collaboration with private vendors, including Smartmatic.

The party argued that the reported developments raise serious constitutional, legal, and ethical concerns, particularly regarding the independence of the electoral commission.

“The IEBC is an independent constitutional commission. Any opaque arrangements involving the Office of the President, particularly on matters touching on voter registration data and national identity database.