Kenyans React as MPs Pass Bill to Stop Livestreaming of 2027 General Election Results

Kenyans may no longer be able to watch election results being announced live from polling stations if Parliament’s proposed changes to the Elections Act become law.

The development has sparked fresh debate about transparency and public access to election results ahead of the 2027 General Election.

On Friday, October 23, reports indicated that MPs had moved to remove the legal requirement for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to livestream results as they are announced at polling stations.

The proposal is contained in the Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, which seeks to amend the law governing the transmission, verification and declaration of election results.

Under the proposed changes, the IEBC would still be required to transmit presidential election results electronically and publish polling-station result forms on its public online portal.

However, the specific legal requirement to livestream the announcements would be removed.I to

This means Kenyans could still access results through official documents and other channels, but they might not have a legal guarantee of watching the announcements unfold in real time.

The proposal comes as political leaders and election observers continue to discuss how best to protect the credibility of the next election.

Supporters of the changes argue that electronic transmission and the publication of official result forms can provide the information needed to verify election results.

Critics, however, warn that removing mandatory livestreaming could make it harder for citizens, journalists and political parties to follow the counting process as it happens.

The IEBC has also clarified in earlier statements that the proposed changes do not mean electronic transmission of results will be abandoned.

The debate is particularly important because Kenya’s election process has faced serious disputes in the past, making transparency a major concern for voters.

President William Ruto’s role in the process will depend on the Bill’s progress through Parliament and whether it is eventually presented for presidential assent.

For now, the proposed changes should not be confused with a complete ban on broadcasting election results.

Do you think the IEBC should be legally required to livestream results during the 2027 General Election?

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