CEC: POLLING STATIONS READY FOR VOTING IN THE 

KURULTAI ELECTIONS

A meeting of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan, held as part of the campaign for the election of deputies of the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan scheduled for 23 August 2026, took place today in Astana.

Representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Information, political parties, the media, and international observers from the OSCE/ODIHR and CIS missions took part in the meeting. In addition, the chairpersons and members of territorial election commissions in the capital, regions, and cities of republican significance, as well as the heads of the offices of regional akims, participated via videoconference.

In accordance with the agenda, the following issues were considered:

1. The readiness of polling stations for voting day in the elections of deputies of the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan scheduled for August 23, 2026;

2. Certain aspects of compliance with electoral legislation;

3. Consideration of appeals from individuals and legal entities, and liability for violations of electoral legislation.

Opening the meeting, Chairman of the Central Election Commission Nurlan Abdirov noted the substantial amount of work carried out as part of preparations for the elections. He identified the training of election commission members, as well as other participants in the electoral process, as one of the key areas.

Secretary of the Commission Shavkhat Utemissov spoke about the CEC’s activities in this area. He noted that the Central Election Commission had established a multi-level cascade training system for participants in the electoral process.

“More than 7,000 training seminars have been held, involving over 71,000 members of territorial and precinct election commissions. The programme included both theoretical and practical training, including analysis of specific situations that commissions may encounter on election day. Assessment of the knowledge acquired and the readiness of the commissions were carried out directly in the regions during field visits by CEC members,” - the Secretary of the Central Election Commission noted.

Training was conducted in both in-person and online formats, and the “train-the-trainer” approach was also used. A Training and Methodological Package and an educational animated film were developed and distributed to the regions for use in the training process. Another important area was training for other participants in the electoral process, which covered more than 23,000 people. Training seminars were organized for representatives of political parties, accredited public associations and non-profit organizations, as well as the mass media.

During the meeting, chairpersons of the territorial election commissions reported on the number and material and technical equipment of polling stations in the regions, the arrangement of designated areas for persons with disabilities, and the provision of polling stations with the necessary information materials. They also reported on the distribution of personalized invitations to voters indicating the time and place of voting and the addresses of polling stations, as well as on the issuance of absentee voting certificates. It was noted that the required number of ballots had been delivered to precinct election commissions and were being kept under security. Thus, according to the territorial election commissions, polling stations across the country are ready to conduct voting in the elections of deputies of the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

During the discussion of the second item on the agenda, Central Election Commission Member Lyazzat Suyindik outlined the key rules that must be observed in the coming days.

August 22 is the day of silence. On this day, as well as on election day, election campaigning is prohibited. Previously published campaign materials may remain in place, including online, but they may not be additionally promoted or placed on the main pages of internet resources.

The CEC Member also recalled the restrictions on publishing opinion polls and forecasts. In particular, during the five days preceding election day and on election day itself, the dissemination of opinion poll results, forecasts of election results, and other election-related research is prohibited. At the same time, exit polls on election day may be conducted only outside polling stations and only by organizations that have notified the CEC of their intention to conduct them.

“Under Article 27 of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan ‘On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan,’ photographing and/or video recording a completed ballot and disseminating such materials is prohibited on election day. At the same time, voters’ right to take photographs at polling stations is not restricted. Photographs may be taken, including next to a ballot box or at the moment a ballot is placed into the ballot box, provided that it is not visible which party the voter voted for. After election day, the prohibition on disseminating such materials no longer applies, as it is specifically established for election day,” - Lyazzat Suyindik noted.

Particular attention at the meeting was paid to the work of observers and media representatives. They have the right to be present at polling stations and observe the voting process within the powers established by law. At the same time, observers must be provided with the opportunity to observe the ballot boxes, as well as the entrances and exits to the voting booths. All participants in the electoral process are required to maintain order at polling stations and refrain from obstructing the free expression of citizens’ will, Lyazzat Suyindik reminded.

In turn, First Vice Minister of Culture and Information Kanat Iskakov reported on the Ministry’s work in three key areas: ensuring equal conditions for all participants in the electoral race to cover their activities during the campaign period; conducting broad public information and awareness-raising efforts; and ensuring compliance by the media and online platform users with electoral legislation.

During the consideration of the third item on the agenda, Commission Member Assel Zhanabilova spoke about appeals received from individuals and legal entities, as well as liability for violations of electoral legislation.

Appeals are handled in accordance with the Constitutional Law “On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan” and the Administrative Procedural and Process-Related Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Since the election of deputies of the Kurultai was called, the Central Election Commission has received 203 appeals, 129 of which concerned clarification of electoral legislation. The majority of these appeals - 62 in total—concerned issues related to the organization of the electoral process.

The CEC Member emphasized that each appeal is reviewed in a timely manner and that a comprehensive response is provided. No complaints regarding decisions or actions of territorial election commissions have been submitted to the CEC.

“Each appeal is considered in accordance with the established procedure, and citizens are provided with specific clarifications taking into account the requirements of the law. At the same time, it is important to understand that violations of electoral legislation entail liability. Our common task is to ensure compliance with the law at all stages of the electoral campaign and to protect citizens’ electoral rights,” Assel Zhanabilova noted.

In particular, the CEC Member reminded that liability is provided for interference with the work of election commissions, violation of the secrecy of the ballot, obstruction of the free expression of citizens’ will, as well as obstruction of the lawful activities of election commission members, authorized representatives of political parties, media representatives, and observers.

“During preparations for the elections, we visited all regions and held working meetings with the participation of relevant government bodies. Compliance with legislative requirements was comprehensively reviewed, and specific instructions were given to government bodies and election commissions. The key priority today is to ensure a high level of organization on Election Day. The Commission has been entrusted with an important mission—to conduct the first elections of deputies to the Kurultai. It is necessary to ensure maximum transparency and objectivity of voting procedures. Citizens must be provided with all the necessary conditions to fully exercise their constitutional right to vote,” Nurlan Abdirov concluded, summing up the work of the CEC meeting.

Following the meeting, members of the Central Election Commission answered journalists’ questions during a traditional media briefing.