CEC OF KAZAKHSTAN: EARLY ELECTIONS OF MASLIKHAT

 DEPUTIES SCHEDULED FOR 29 NOVEMBER

The first meeting of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan as part of the election campaign for the maslikhat (local representative body) elections scheduled for 29 November 2026 was held today in Astana.

The meeting was attended by representatives of political parties, the Ministry of Justice, and the media. In addition, chairpersons and members of territorial election commissions, the leadership of district election commissions from the capital, regions, and cities of republican significance, as well as heads of the administrative offices of regional akims, participated online.

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

1. On scheduling the elections of maslikhat deputies and approving the Model Calendar Plan of key activities for the preparation and conduct of the elections of maslikhat deputies of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

2. On establishing the forms of electoral documents for the elections of maslikhat deputies of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

3. On the admission of political parties to participate in the elections of maslikhat deputies elected through party lists and the procedure for nominating candidates in single-member territorial constituencies;

4. On organizing training for election commission members and other participants in the electoral process during the election campaign for maslikhat deputies of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Opening the meeting, Chairman of the Central Election Commission Nurlan Abdirov emphasized that large-scale reforms were being implemented in the country. As part of these reforms, a referendum on the new Constitution and elections of deputies of the Kurultai had already taken place this year. The country is now entering another stage of the electoral process, involving the elections of maslikhat deputies at all levels.

“This year, a number of important events related to the electoral process have taken place in our country. The elections of deputies of the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan were held recently. We are now launching the election campaign to organize and conduct the early elections of maslikhat deputies. In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the early termination of the powers of maslikhats at all levels, the relevant preparations for organizing and conducting the election campaign are now underway,” Nurlan Abdirov stated.

Deputy Chairman of the Central Election Commission Mukhtar Yerman presented a report on the first item on the agenda. In his remarks, he noted that, under the law, early elections of maslikhat deputies must be scheduled no later than two months after the early termination of their powers.

“The Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan resolves to schedule the early elections of maslikhat deputies of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 29 November 2026. Maslikhats are elected by the population for a five-year term on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. The upcoming elections will involve the election of 3,447 deputies to 228 maslikhats. Specifically, 668 seats will be contested in 20 regional maslikhats, 626 seats in 38 city maslikhats, and 2,153 seats in 170 district maslikhats,” Mukhtar Yerman stated.

At the meeting, the Model Calendar Plan of key activities for the preparation and conduct of the elections of maslikhat deputies of the Republic of Kazakhstan was presented and approved.

According to the document, the nomination and self-nomination period begins on 14 October and will continue until 18:00 on 27 October. The registration of party lists and candidates must be completed by 18:00 on 1 November. The election campaign period will begin immediately thereafter, on 1 November, and continue until 00:00 on 28 November. 28 November will be a campaign silence period.

Voting at polling stations on election day, 29 November, is scheduled to take place from 07:00 to 20:00. However, territorial election commissions have the authority to establish different voting hours upon proposals from the relevant akims or precinct election commissions. The election results for maslikhat deputies must be established within five days.

Nurlan Abdirov drew the attention of election commissions in the regions to the fact that the Calendar Plan for the elections of maslikhat deputies is the principal document defining the stages of the election campaign and the associated electoral procedures. He emphasized that all activities outlined in the plan must be carried out within the prescribed deadlines and instructed the territorial election commissions of Astana, the regions, and cities of republican significance to take all necessary measures to ensure the proper organization and conduct of the early elections of maslikhat deputies.

In accordance with Article 12, subparagraph 6, of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan,” the Central Election Commission establishes the forms of electoral documents for the elections of maslikhat deputies of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In this regard, CEC member Azamat Aimanakumov presented a report on the second item on the agenda. He introduced 30 forms of electoral documents to be used during the maslikhat election campaign. These forms are intended to document electoral procedures carried out by election commissions at specific stages of the campaign. They include templates for the required applications, protocols, certificates, lists, and other documents.

Political parties that have undergone state registration with the justice authorities are entitled to participate in the electoral process in accordance with the law.

During consideration of the third item on the agenda, CEC members adopted resolutions admitting the following political parties to participate in the elections of maslikhat deputies: the “Aq Jol” Democratic Party of Kazakhstan, the “Auyl” Party, the “Adilet” Party, the Nationwide Social Democratic Party, Kazakhstan’s Green Party “Baytaq”, the People’s Party of Kazakhstan, and the “Respublica” Party.

At the same time, Nurlan Abdirov informed the participants that the CEC had received an official letter from the “Amanat” Party stating that it would not participate in the early elections of maslikhat deputies of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

A distinctive feature of the current election campaign is the use of a mixed electoral system, allowing both political parties and candidates in single-member constituencies to participate in the elections. Accordingly, candidates may be nominated not only by political parties and public associations but may also stand as independent candidates through self-nomination.

To ensure responsible participation in the electoral process, candidates for maslikhat deputy are required to pay an electoral deposit. CEC member Assel Zhanabilova explained who is required to pay the deposit, the applicable amounts, and the circumstances under which it may be refunded.

Under Article 104 of the Constitutional Law “On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan,” political parties that nominate party lists must pay an electoral deposit from their own funds into the accounts of local executive bodies. The deposit is equivalent to five times the statutory minimum monthly wage for each candidate included on the party list. Currently, this amount is 425,000 tenge per candidate.

A self-nominated candidate for maslikhat deputy must pay the same electoral deposit into the account of the relevant local executive body after verification of their compliance with the eligibility requirements and before registration.

“The electoral deposit is refunded to a political party if it receives at least 5% of the votes cast by voters who participated in the election, or in the event of the death of the sole candidate included on its party list. The electoral deposit is refunded to an individual candidate if they are elected as a maslikhat deputy, receive at least 5% of the votes cast by voters who participated in the election, or in the event of the candidate’s death. In all other cases, the electoral deposit is no-refundable and is transferred to the national budget,” Assel Zhanabilova explained.

It was noted that not all political parties are required to pay the full electoral deposit. In the relevant territorial electoral constituency, political parties that received 5% or more of the votes in the previous elections of deputies to the respective maslikhat are exempt from paying the deposit. Parties that received between 3% and 5% of the votes in the previous elections are required to pay 50% of the prescribed electoral deposit, while parties that received between 1% and 3% of the votes must pay 70% of the prescribed amount.

As part of the discussion on the participation of political parties in the upcoming election campaign, Vice Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan Botagoz Zhakselekova presented information on political parties officially registered in the country.

Particular attention was paid at the meeting to the organization of specialized training seminars for election commission members across the country ahead of the elections of maslikhat deputies. Secretary of the Central Election Commission Shavkhat Utemissov outlined the key aspects of organizing these training activities.

“The effective organization and conduct of elections of maslikhat deputies at all levels depend on election commission members and other participants in the electoral process fulfilling their responsibilities effectively and strictly complying with the electoral procedures established by law. Achieving this requires a thorough knowledge of electoral legislation. In this regard, we must ensure the training of more than 86,000 election commission members within a short period, including 1,729 members of territorial election commissions, more than 15,000 members of district election commissions, and approximately 70,000 members of precinct election commissions. Training on such a scale requires a comprehensive, phased system that ensures a consistent understanding of electoral legislation, procedures, and operational protocols at every level of election commissions,” Shavkhat Utemissov stated.

The CEC Secretary noted that the training process would be organized through the sequential transfer of knowledge and methodological approaches from one level of election commissions to the next. This cascade training approach will help ensure a common understanding of electoral legislation and coordinated actions among election commissions at all levels.

In addition to training, regular online meetings and consultations will be held at the central level. During these sessions, the leadership and designated members of territorial election commissions will receive guidance on the application of specific electoral procedures and practical issues arising during the election campaign.

“Alongside the training of election organizers, territorial election commissions at the regional level will also be responsible for training other participants in the electoral process, including representatives of political parties, accredited public associations and non-profit organizations, candidates’ authorized representatives, and members of the media. The training sessions will cover the legal framework for preparing and conducting the elections of maslikhat deputies, the specific features of the current election campaign, and the rights and responsibilities of participants in the electoral process,” Shavkhat Utemissov emphasized.

It was noted that the training would focus not only on studying electoral legislation but also on its practical application. Training sessions will examine typical and non-standard situations, procedures and protocols for election commission members, and matters relating to interaction with candidates, their authorized representatives, observers, media representatives, and other participants in the electoral process.

The coordination and monitoring of training activities in the regions are planned to be carried out through inspection visits by members of the Central Election Commission to regions across the country.

“I instruct those responsible for organizing electoral training to take all necessary measures to ensure high-quality training and the broadest possible coverage of participants in the electoral process, while strictly adhering to the established deadlines for each stage of training. During election campaigns, members of the Central Election Commission and its staff traditionally conduct inspection visits to all regions of the country. These visits involve assessing the preparedness of election commissions, providing training to participants in the electoral process, and offering methodological support. Taking into account the specific features of the current election campaign, it is essential to approve appropriate training plans and ensure their effective implementation,” CEC Chairman Nurlan Abdirov stated in concluding the discussion.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Nurlan Abdirov addressed members of election commissions at all levels, emphasizing the importance of complying with electoral legislation and safeguarding citizens’ electoral rights.

“I would like to address election commissions at all levels. During the upcoming election campaign, the Central Election Commission will provide overall leadership of the unified system of election commissions, oversee compliance with electoral legislation, and ensure its uniform application. At the same time, the necessary methodological support will be provided to participants in the electoral process. However, the primary responsibility for the direct organization and conduct of the elections rests with you. Every decision and every procedure must be carried out in strict accordance with the requirements of the law. Our common objective is to ensure the legality and transparency of the elections and to safeguard the electoral rights of citizens,” Nurlan Abdirov stated.

Following the meeting, members of the Central Election Commission adopted the relevant resolutions. CEC members also answered journalists’ questions during the traditional press briefing.