VeriVote Candidate Response Protocol — Version 2.0

How to formally challenge
a VeriVote score.

This protocol is binding on VeriVote and is published in full as a public commitment to candidates and voters. It governs how scores can be challenged, reviewed, and corrected.

Version 2.0 • March 2026 • 13 sections Applies to: All scored candidates & authorised representatives

Submission channel

Candidate Dashboard + written notice to integrity@verivote.co.ke

Status

Binding on VeriVote — published as public commitment

In this protocol

1. Overview and Right to Response

VeriVote publishes candidate scores based on verifiable public records. Every candidate indexed on VeriVote has the right to view the evidence supporting their score and to submit a formal challenge if they believe it contains an error or omits relevant verifiable evidence.

Every candidate whose score is published will be notified by VeriVote before the score goes live, with a minimum notice period of five business days. During this window, candidates may review their score and initiate a challenge before public publication.

VeriVote does not accept promises, manifesto updates, political statements, or endorsements as grounds for a score change. Only publicly verifiable, attributable documents are admissible. This protocol is not a political process — it is an evidence review process. VeriVote will not alter a score in response to public pressure, political advocacy, or legal threat alone.

2. Valid Grounds for a Challenge

A challenge will be accepted and reviewed if it is based on one or more of the following grounds:

Ground	Type	Description
A	Factual Error	The score relies on information that is factually incorrect. This includes: a document misread or misattributed to the wrong person; a date recorded incorrectly; an event recorded as occurring when it did not; or an identity mismatch (a record linked to the wrong individual).
B	Outdated Record	A record that was accurate at the time of scoring has since changed. Examples: a court case that has been resolved or quashed; an EACC inquiry that has been closed with a clearance certificate; an audit query formally resolved with an OAG letter of clearance. The updated record must be officially documented and publicly available.
C	Missing Evidence	Relevant verifiable evidence existed at the time of scoring but was not considered. Examples: a clean audit report not accessed by the analyst; an EACC clearance certificate not included; a publicly filed document overlooked. Evidence that did not exist at the time of the original scoring belongs under Ground B, not Ground C.
D	Incorrect N/A Assignment or Missing Proxy	An indicator was incorrectly marked as N/A, or a valid private-sector proxy that existed was not applied. Particularly relevant for first-time candidates who may have verifiable private-sector equivalents that were overlooked during scoring.
E	Computation Error	The mathematical calculation of the score was incorrect. Examples: an indicator score applied at the wrong weight; a redistribution not correctly applied; a safeguard cap triggered in error based on misread evidence.

Critical rule: evidence must predate the evaluation period

Candidates cannot create or generate evidence retroactively. Any document submitted as counter-evidence must be dated before the evaluation period that produced the score being challenged.

Example: a candidate whose Public Engagement score is low cannot commission new Office Open Days after the score is published and submit attendance logs as counter-evidence. The events must have occurred during the scoring window.

3. What Does Not Constitute a Valid Ground

The following will not result in a review and will be returned without consideration:

Disagreement with the scoring framework.

The five areas, their weights, Trust Coefficients, the Category Floor Rule, the Integrity Veto, and the rating bands are fixed, constitutionally grounded, and apply equally to all candidates.

Disagreement with the constitutional framework.

VeriVote scores are grounded in Chapter Six and Article 10 of the Constitution of Kenya. Subjective interpretations of constitutional requirements (e.g., "I believe my manifesto satisfies Article 10") are not admissible.

Requests to remove factually correct public records.

A valid conviction, an active court case that is publicly documented, or a formally recorded inquiry cannot be removed from the score simply because the candidate disputes its significance. An Integrity Veto can only be removed if the underlying court record has been legally quashed and this is officially documented.

Private or confidential documents.

Only documents that are publicly accessible or officially gazetted are admissible. Confidential records, internal campaign documents, and private correspondence cannot be submitted as evidence.

Personal opinion, partisan arguments, or unverified statements.

Testimonials, character references, political endorsements, anonymous claims, and reputational assertions from third parties are not evidence under the VeriVote framework.

Manifesto updates or future commitments.

A score reflects the documented record at the time of evaluation. Promises of future action, updated manifestos, or declared intentions do not alter a score based on past evidence.

4. How to Submit a Challenge

A formal challenge requires two parallel actions. A challenge is not formally lodged until both are complete.

Step 1 — Submit via the Candidate Dashboard

Log in to your private Candidate Dashboard at verivote.co.ke/candidate. Navigate to Submit Evidence / Challenge Score in the main menu, or use the "Submit evidence for this pillar" link on the specific pillar row in your score breakdown. The form will pre-populate the relevant indicator.

The submission form collects:

Your identity details (pre-filled from login; ID/Passport number required for verification)
The ground of challenge (A through E, from Section 2)
The specific indicator(s) being challenged, selected from the full list of 80
Supporting evidence: uploaded files (PDF, JPG, PNG — max 10 MB total) or direct URLs to publicly accessible documents
For each piece of evidence: document title, issuing institution, date of issue, and file reference or case number
A brief explanation of why the evidence changes the score (maximum 300 characters per indicator)
Acknowledgement checkbox confirming all evidence is public, verifiable, and accurately represented

You will receive an automated confirmation with a reference number (format: VR-YYYY-XXXX) within 24 hours of submission. Retain this reference number for all subsequent correspondence.

Step 2 — Submit Formal Written Notice

In addition to the dashboard submission, send a formal written notice to integrity@verivote.co.ke with the subject line: "Formal Challenge — [Candidate Name] — [Reference Number]". The written notice must include the items listed in Section 5.

5. What to Include in Your Written Notice

An incomplete written notice will be returned. All of the following are required:

#	Required Item	Notes
1	Candidate full name and IEBC registration number	Must match the name and registration on your IEBC candidate certificate.
2	ID or Passport number	Required for identity verification. Will be masked in any public record of the challenge.
3	Office being contested and constituency or county	As registered with IEBC.
4	Dashboard reference number	The VR-YYYY-XXXX reference issued after Step 1. Both submissions are linked by this number.
5	Ground(s) of challenge (A through E)	List each ground separately if more than one applies.
6	Specific indicator(s) being challenged	Name the indicator in plain language (e.g., "Audit Clean Opinion Certification"). Indicator IDs are helpful but not required.
7	Description of the alleged error	A clear, factual statement of what you believe is wrong and why. Maximum 500 words. Attach additional pages if necessary.
8	Supporting evidence	The document(s) you are relying on. Must be publicly accessible: official records, certified copies, or stable URLs to publicly filed documents.
9	Source and provenance of each document	For each document: issuing institution, date of issue, and reference number, case number, or gazette number.
10	Authorised representative details (if applicable)	Full name, firm or organisation, contact details, and written authorisation from the candidate if submitting on their behalf.

6. Timelines

Timelines apply from the date both the dashboard submission and the written notice are received. A challenge lodged during the pre-publication notice window (Section 1) will be reviewed before publication where the timeline allows.

Stage	Timeline	What Happens
Automated acknowledgement	Within 24 hours	Dashboard confirmation with reference number VR-YYYY-XXXX issued automatically upon submission.
Formal acknowledgement	Within 2 business days	VeriVote confirms receipt of both the dashboard submission and the written notice, confirms whether the submission is complete, and assigns the challenge to a reviewer.
Initial assessment	Within 5 business days	VeriVote determines whether the challenge raises a valid ground under Section 2. Challenges with no valid ground (Section 3) are closed at this stage with a written explanation.
Full review	Within 15 business days (7 business days during official campaign period)	VeriVote's Data Integrity team reviews the submitted evidence against the original scoring record. The review is conducted by an analyst who did not score the original indicator, followed by a peer review by a second independent analyst. Where document authenticity cannot be confirmed from public records alone, VeriVote contacts the issuing institution (EACC, OAG, Judiciary, or other) directly to verify.
Decision	Within 3 business days of review completion	VeriVote issues a written decision with one of four outcomes (see Section 8). The outcome is communicated by email to the candidate and representative. If a score change results, the candidate is notified of the new score with a direct link to their updated profile.
Appeal	Within 10 business days of decision	If the candidate disputes the decision, they may lodge a formal appeal under Section 9.

Expedited review during the official campaign period

During the official IEBC campaign period, the full review timeline is reduced from 15 to 7 business days. All other stages remain unchanged.

VeriVote will publish the dates of the expedited review window on its website at the start of each electoral cycle.

7. The Displayed Score During Review

When a formal challenge is lodged and accepted for review, the candidate's public profile will display an "Under Review" flag adjacent to the challenged pillar or indicator. The score itself remains live and visible to voters throughout the review period.

The score is not suppressed, hidden, or replaced with a placeholder during review. Voters have the right to access all available information. The "Under Review" flag ensures they are aware that a formal challenge is in progress.

If a review results in a score change, the candidate's public profile will display a permanent note: "Score updated on [Date] following submission of verified [Document Type], Reference: VR-YYYY-XXXX." This note is visible to all voters and is permanently recorded in the public audit trail.

Why the score remains live during review

Suppressing a score during a challenge would create a mechanism for candidates to temporarily remove unfavourable scores by lodging challenges without merit. The "Under Review" flag is the appropriate balance: voters are informed, the challenge is transparent, and no score can be gamed by the challenge process itself.

8. Possible Outcomes

Outcome	What it means
Score Unchanged	The submitted evidence did not establish a valid ground. The original score is confirmed. A written explanation is provided. The submission is logged internally for audit purposes.
Score Amended	A genuine error or valid missing evidence was found. The score is corrected, the correction is logged in the public audit trail with the reference number and date, and the candidate's profile is updated. A public transparency note is added to the profile.
Indicator Flagged Pending Re-Evaluation	The submission raises a substantive question requiring additional research — for example, obtaining a document VeriVote did not have access to, or awaiting institutional verification. The indicator is flagged as provisional and re-evaluation is completed within 10 business days.
Clarification Requested	The submission is incomplete or the evidence requires clarification before the review can proceed. VeriVote contacts the candidate or representative by email specifying what is needed. The candidate has 5 business days to respond before the submission is closed.

9. The Appeal Process

If a candidate disputes a Score Unchanged decision, they may lodge a formal appeal within 10 business days of receiving the written decision.

An appeal must:

Be submitted in writing to integrity@verivote.co.ke with the subject line "Formal Appeal — [Reference Number]"
State precisely what aspect of the decision the candidate disputes and why
Include new evidence not submitted in the original challenge — an appeal that repeats the original challenge without new grounds or new evidence will not be accepted

The appeal is reviewed by a senior panel of at least three members, none of whom were involved in the original score, the initial review, or the peer review. The panel's decision is final and will be communicated in writing within 15 business days of the appeal being accepted.

VeriVote does not offer further internal appeal beyond this stage. Candidates who believe VeriVote has acted unlawfully may seek recourse through the appropriate judicial or regulatory bodies.

10. Submission Rules and Abuse Policy

Rule	Detail
One active case at a time	Only one open submission per candidate at any time. Additional evidence may be added to an open case by contacting integrity@verivote.co.ke with the reference number. A new submission cannot be opened while a case is under review.
Additional evidence to open case	If new evidence becomes available while a case is under review, email integrity@verivote.co.ke with the reference number and the additional document. It will be added to the active review file.
File requirements	Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, PNG. Maximum total upload: 10 MB per submission. Files are scanned for malware on receipt. Manipulated or unlawfully obtained documents will result in immediate rejection and may result in a permanent restriction.
Frivolous or abusive submissions	Repeated submissions without valid evidence, or submissions that appear designed to obstruct the review process, will result in a written warning on the first instance. A second instance may result in a temporary restriction of response privileges for the duration of the electoral cycle.
Confidentiality of outcome notes	Accepted submissions and their rationales are added to the candidate's public provenance log. Rejected submissions are logged internally for audit purposes but are not published.

11. VeriVote's Commitments to Candidates

What VeriVote will always do

Notify every candidate before their score is published
Acknowledge every formal challenge within 2 business days
Use an analyst independent of the original scoring to conduct the review, and a second independent analyst for peer review
Contact the issuing institution directly to verify document authenticity where public records are insufficient
Provide a written explanation for every decision, including decisions not to review
Log every score correction in the public audit trail with the date, reference number, nature of the correction, and the evidence that prompted it
Treat all candidates equally under this protocol regardless of party, position, or public profile
Provide this protocol in Kiswahili on request — email support@verivote.co.ke

What VeriVote will never do

Alter a score in response to political pressure, public campaigns, or legal threat alone
Suppress or hide a score because a challenge has been lodged
Accept payment, donation, or any form of consideration in exchange for a score review or amendment
Apply different standards to different candidates based on party affiliation, prominence, or any relationship with VeriVote stakeholders
Disclose the identity of voters who submitted Report Data flags
Retroactively alter a score without logging the change in the public audit trail
Remove an Integrity Veto unless the underlying court record has been legally quashed and officially documented

12. Platform Integration — Candidate Dashboard

The submission interface is a private, authenticated area accessible only to verified candidates and their authorised representatives. Access requires a candidate login with identity verification matched against the candidate's IEBC registration and ID number.

Dashboard navigation items

Navigation Item	Function
My Score Overview	Displays the current score gauge, band, pillar breakdown, and any active safeguard banners.
Submit Evidence / Challenge Score	Primary entry point for the submission form. Prominently placed in main navigation.
Evidence History & Responses	Full log of all past submissions, their reference numbers, statuses, and outcomes.
Profile Settings	Contact details, representative authorisation, notification preferences.

Two secondary entry points are also available: a per-pillar link ("Submit evidence for this pillar") on each expanded pillar row that pre-populates the submission form, and a Confidence tooltip link ("Disagree? Submit new evidence here") within the Evidence Confidence tag tooltip.

13. Contact Details

Purpose	Contact
Formal challenge submissions (written notice)	integrity@verivote.co.ke — Subject: "Formal Challenge — [Candidate Name] — [VR-YYYY-XXXX]"
Process queries (not score disputes)	responses@verivote.co.ke — Subject: "Candidate Response Protocol Query — [Your Name]" — Response within 48 hours.
Pre-publication notification queries	notifications@verivote.co.ke
General platform enquiries	info@verivote.co.ke
Accessibility and language support	support@verivote.co.ke — Kiswahili version of this protocol available on request.
Media and press enquiries	press@verivote.co.ke

VeriVote: Verify Candidates. Vote Confidently.

An independent candidate intelligence platform — not a voting or registration service. Version 2.0 • Last updated: March 2026.

How to formally challengea VeriVote score.