IEBC Ordered to Amend 2027 Elections Technology Tender

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has been ordered to review and amend its tender for the supply and maintenance of the Integrated Elections Management System (IEMS) ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election.

The directive was issued by the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB), which found that sections of the tender document contained requirements and evaluation criteria that were not sufficiently clear, certain and objective.

The disputed tender, identified as IEBC/OIT/01/2026-2027, covers the supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, support and maintenance of the Integrated Elections Management System, including related hardware equipment and accessories.

The procurement process was challenged by Galadirel Investment Limited, which filed a Request for Review before the Board on August 14, 2026.

Board Identifies Tender Deficiencies

In its decision, the Board identified shortcomings in several aspects of the tender, including provisions relating to hardware and technology ownership.

The Board emphasised that a tender document serves as the primary instrument through which prospective bidders are informed about the requirements of a procurement process and the manner in which their bids will be evaluated.

It therefore found that unclear or subjective provisions could undermine the principles of transparency, fairness, equality and competitiveness required under Article 227 of the Constitution and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act.

However, the Board declined to cancel the procurement process altogether.

Instead, it ruled that the identified shortcomings could be addressed through clarification, correction and amendment of the tender document.

IEBC to Publish Revised Tender

The electoral commission has now been directed to review the disputed provisions and publish a new, compliant tender document.

The revised document must provide prospective bidders with sufficient time to understand the amendments and prepare their submissions.

The Board directed that bidders should be given at least seven days to respond to the revised tender, in accordance with the applicable procurement law.

The IEBC has also been permitted to seek technical advice and support from the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) during the review and amendment process.

PPRA Not to Set Technical Specifications

While allowing the IEBC to consult PPRA, the Board made clear that responsibility for determining the technical specifications of the Integrated Elections Management System remains with the electoral commission.

The Board stressed that PPRA should not determine the technical specifications of the system, as that responsibility belongs to the IEBC as the procuring entity.

The Secretary of the Board has also been directed to forward the decision to the Director-General of PPRA for information, monitoring and any further action considered necessary under the law.

Procurement Process Continues

The ruling means the IEBC's procurement of the technology and infrastructure intended to support the 2027 General Election will proceed, but under a revised tender document.

The decision could provide an important opportunity for the commission to address concerns over the clarity and objectivity of its procurement requirements before the process advances further.

The Board consequently allowed in part the Request for Review filed by Galadirel Investment Limited on August 14, 2026, while stopping short of nullifying the tender.

The IEBC is now required to implement the Board's directives by correcting and clarifying the affected provisions and giving potential bidders the legally required period to prepare their bids.