How IEBC will use colours to guide voters in 2027

Voting in Kenya’s 2027 General Election will involve six separate ballot papers, each identified by a specific colour and matched to the lid of its corresponding ballot box.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced the colour scheme that will be used for the six elective positions, providing voters with a visual guide when casting their ballots.

The arrangement is intended to make it easier for voters and election officials to distinguish the different ballots and ensure each paper is placed in the correct ballot box.

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In a post shared on its social media platforms, IEBC said, “each ballot paper colour will correspond with the colour of the lid of its respective ballot box.”

The colour-coded system will cover the presidential, parliamentary and county-level contests, giving each position a distinct identity at polling stations across the country.

Six positions get distinct colours

The Presidential ballot paper will be white, while the ballot paper used to elect Members of the National Assembly will be green.

Senatorial elections will use yellow, giving voters a separate visual marker for the Senate race.

The gubernatorial ballot paper will be light blue, while the ballot paper used to elect Members of County Assembly will be beige.

Women Representative elections will use purple, completing the six-colour arrangement announced by the electoral commission.

Each ballot box will carry a lid matching the colour of the ballot paper assigned to that particular elective position.

A voter who receives a white Presidential ballot paper, for instance, will be expected to identify the ballot box with the matching white lid before casting the vote.

The same principle will apply to all six elective positions, creating a system in which the colour of the paper and the colour of the box provide an additional check at the polling station.

The arrangement could help reduce mistakes during the voting process, particularly at busy polling centres where voters handle several ballot papers within a short period.

Kenya’s General Election requires voters to make separate choices for six positions. These are President, Member of the National Assembly, Senator, Governor, Woman Representative and Member of County Assembly.

Each contest will therefore require its own ballot paper, meaning voters will need to carefully follow the instructions provided by election officials when marking and casting their votes.

The colour distinction could also make it easier for election officials to organise ballot papers and guide voters through the various stages of the voting process.

IEBC pushes voter registration

IEBC has also urged Kenyans who are not yet registered as voters to take advantage of the registration services available at constituency offices and Huduma Centres across the country.

The appeal comes as preparations for the 2027 General Election continue, with voter registration remaining one of the key steps ahead of polling day.

Eligible Kenyans who have not registered will need to complete the process within the timelines provided by the commission to participate in the election.

Voter education is expected to become increasingly important as the election approaches, particularly in helping citizens understand the colour system and other procedures at polling stations.

The six colours provide a straightforward reference point, but voters will still need to read the instructions on each ballot paper before marking their preferred candidates.

Election officials will also have to maintain proper organisation at polling stations to ensure the six sets of ballot papers and boxes remain clearly separated.

The colour scheme creates a distinction between national and county elections while allowing voters to identify each ballot through a simple visual cue.

White will represent the presidential contest, green will identify the National Assembly ballot, yellow will be used for the Senate, light blue will represent governors, purple will identify Women Representatives and beige will be used for MCAs.

The corresponding ballot box lids will carry the same colours, creating a direct link between each ballot paper and its designated box.

Such a system can be particularly useful during the final stages of voting, when several ballot boxes are positioned at the same polling station.

Voters will have the responsibility of checking the colour before depositing each ballot, while election officials will be expected to provide guidance where necessary.

The announcement is part of wider preparations for the 2027 General Election, which will determine leadership at both national and county levels.

Political parties are already positioning themselves ahead of the polls, while prospective candidates and their supporters continue to build networks across the country.

IEBC’s role will extend beyond identifying ballot paper colours. The commission will also oversee voter registration, electoral logistics, voter education, deployment of election officials and the management of polling materials.

The colour-coded system is one of several measures that will shape the voting experience when Kenyans head to polling stations.

Clear identification of ballot papers and boxes could also help election officials during counting, as each category of ballot will remain physically separated according to its designated colour.

Any confusion at polling stations, however, could slow down the process, particularly where large numbers of voters arrive at the same time.

Voters are therefore likely to receive more guidance on the system as the election approaches, allowing them to become familiar with the colours before polling day.

The commission’s call for unregistered Kenyans to visit constituency offices and Huduma Centres also highlights the importance of early preparation.

Registration gives eligible citizens the opportunity to take part in the electoral process, while understanding the ballot system can help them navigate polling stations more confidently.

The 2027 General Election will require voters to make six separate decisions, and each ballot will carry its own colour and corresponding ballot box.

The system is ultimately designed to make the process easier to follow while helping election officials manage the large number of ballots expected across the country.