IEBC Defends Voter Register Data Sharing With State Agencies
By Shiled Jerono | Updated October 9, 2026
In February 2026, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) defended its work with government agencies on voter identity checks after political leaders raised concerns about data sharing ahead of the 2027 election. Those concerns were allegations; they are not evidence that the register was altered.
What IEBC said it was doing
IEBC said it works with agencies that hold identity and civil-registration records to verify identity details and support accurate voter registration. It also said it was engaging the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services to establish a secure application programming interface with the Integrated Population Registration System (IPRS), for validating ID and passport numbers.
The February statement described the IPRS connection as something the Commission was working to establish. It did not confirm that the API was already operational. IEBC’s 2025–2027 Election Operations Plan lists the National Registration Bureau and Civil Registration Services as stakeholders for identity documents and death records, and calls for stronger data-exchange linkages.
Who controls the voter register?
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the register remains under the Commission’s exclusive custody and control. The Commission cited its constitutional and statutory responsibility to maintain an accurate, up-to-date register and said voter data must be handled under applicable privacy and election laws.
What remains a legitimate public question
Identity checks can help detect errors or invalid document details, but the public also has a legitimate interest in how any data exchange is authorised, secured and audited. IEBC’s statements explain its position; they do not independently answer every question about the technical safeguards or the terms of specific agreements. Those details should be assessed through official documentation and oversight, rather than assumptions of manipulation.
What voters should know
IEBC says the Commission—not partner agencies—retains custody of the voter register. Voters can use IEBC’s official channels to confirm registration details and report errors. Any claim that records have been unlawfully changed should be checked against verifiable evidence and the Commission’s published register-verification process.
