- MCK requests media houses to observe the law, professional ethics, and their own editorial policies. Any less than this may lead to the Kenya democratic process's integrity being compromised.
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has announced that doing or publishing unscientific, unauthorized election opinion polls is against the law.
Since by-elections will be held on November 27, 2025, the Council emphasises that “voodoo polls” are not only illegal but also deceptive and destroy the trust of the public.
MCK reminds the media fraternity that the Electoral Act is very clear that no person shall publish the outcomes of any electoral opinion poll on the day of the election or during the five days immediately preceding it.
According to MCK, "call-in" and "instant polls" are misleading.
“These polls do not fulfill the requirements set by law and professional standards,” MCK said in its statement. “They deceive the viewers and violate the imposed statutory prohibitions.”
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The Council’s Election Reporting Guidelines are not only for traditional newsrooms. They also apply to social media polls, live broadcasts, phone-ins, and vox-pop segments.
MCK points out that random people on the street being interviewed or an online voting do not constitute scientific surveys. Hence, journalists should refrain from publishing such results on their platforms.
MCK requests media houses to observe the law, professional ethics, and their own editorial policies. Any less than this may lead to the Kenya democratic process's integrity being compromised.
Kenya is holding by-elections in 22 wards and constituencies on Thursday, November 27, 3035, under the supervision of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
These elections will be used to fill the empty seats, and they are also a test for the political parties and the media's influence in shaping public opinion.
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