18/07/2026
📢 ELOG PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON THE 16 JULY 2026 OL KALOU PARLIAMENTARY BY-ELECTION
ELOG has released its Preliminary Statement on the 16 July 2026 Ol Kalou Parliamentary By-election. The statement is based on verified Election Day observations by twenty-seven observers deployed across selected polling locations in all five wards and supported by a central coordination, verification, and incident-management team in the Central Depository Unit (CDU).
The observation found that polling generally proceeded in an orderly manner, with election officials present, strategic materials available, and voting conducted according to established procedures in most polling stations. Official results from 25 matched polling streams recorded a 55.1% voter turnout.
However, ELOG also documented several incidents that require attention, including:
- KIEMS kit and fingerprint authentication failures, leading to the use of secondary voter identification.
- Delayed opening of some polling stations.
- Temporary denial of access to accredited observers.
- Security incidents involving unrest, allegations of voter bribery, deployment of tear gas, and reports of armed individuals near polling centres.
- Campaign materials displayed near polling stations contrary to electoral regulations.
- Restrictions on observers documenting publicly displayed Form 35A in one polling centre.
To strengthen future elections, ELOG recommends that the IEBC:
- Investigate and document all KIEMS and biometric authentication failures.
- Provide clear, uniform instructions on the admission and documentation requirements for accredited observers and party agents.
- Document the causes, duration, and corrective action for any delayed opening.
- Facilitate access to statutory result forms and ensure copies are publicly affixed as required.
ELOG further calls on political parties, candidates, and agents to:
- Ensure agents carry the required accreditation and documentation.
- Use established complaint mechanisms without disrupting voting or intimidating voters and election officials.
- Refrain from circulating unverified incidents or result claims.
ELOG remains committed to promoting credible, peaceful, transparent, free, and fair elections through independent, evidence-based election observation.
Read the full statement below.
