The electoral commission says it is prepared to conduct by-elections in all affected constituencies and wards within three months, once it receives official notification from Parliament and county assemblies.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the Commission is aware of public concern over the delay in filling vacant seats, particularly in areas where representation has been lacking for extended periods. He noted that some seats have remained unfilled for nearly three years, including in Vanisa constituency.

“We are giving it priority. Because, as you’ve noticed, two years plus have already gone , some constituencies like Vanisa, I think it’s close to three years without their member of parliament,” said Ethekon on Saturday. “Others, of course, are more recent.”

According to the law, a by-election can only be triggered after the relevant Speaker issues a writ and sends it to the IEBC. Ethekon explained that once such a writ is received, the Commission must conduct the by-election within 90 days.

“Once we receive the new writs, because it’s normally within 90 days, then it gives us a window of about three months within which to execute our plan,” he said. “So you can estimate by which month we are talking about.”

He dismissed public speculation around the delays, saying the Commission cannot move forward without the official writs. “I’ve seen under section of the media this matter being discussed. But it is a matter of process,” he stated.

Ethekon added that the Commission has already set aside a budget to conduct the planned by-elections and has been working closely with Parliament and the National Treasury on the matter.

“For by-elections, we have the budget. The Secretariat has been working with Parliament and Treasury, so there is a budget for that — for the 23 vacancies,” he said.

On the issue of recalls, Ethekon said that the Commission would only act if such petitions are successful and legally trigger a by-election. In that case, IEBC would assess whether it has enough internal resources or seek additional funding from Parliament.

“It will depend on whether those petitions are also successful, and how many are they, and whatever steps we are required to undertake,” he said. “Then we will look from within and see if there’s a budget. If not, then we can engage with Parliament to allocate us budget for that.”