ELECTIONS OF MASLIKHAT DEPUTIES: ELECTION 

CAMPAIGNING BEGINS

Today, the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan held its second meeting as part of the electoral campaign for the elections of maslikhat deputies scheduled for 29 November 2026. The meeting was attended by representatives of political parties, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance, Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan, and the media. The chairpersons and members of territorial election commissions, the leadership of district election commissions in the capital, regions and cities of national significance, as well as the heads of the regional akims’ offices, participated online. As is customary, the meeting was broadcast live on the official website and YouTube channel of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The following items were considered in accordance with the agenda:

1. Results of the registration of party lists and candidates for the elections of maslikhat deputies of the Republic of Kazakhstan scheduled for 29 November 2026;

2. Organization and conduct of election campaigning for the elections of maslikhat deputies of the Republic of Kazakhstan scheduled for 29 November 2026;

3. Ballot papers for voting in the elections of maslikhat deputies of the Republic of Kazakhstan scheduled for 29 November 2026;

4. Operation of online services during the elections of maslikhat deputies of the Republic of Kazakhstan scheduled for 29 November 2026.

Opening the meeting, Chairman of the Central Election Commission Nurlan Abdirov emphasized that the electoral campaign across the country was proceeding in a timely and systematic manner, in accordance with the Electoral Calendar.

“In accordance with the Calendar Plan of Key Activities for the Preparation and Conduct of the Early Elections of Maslikhat Deputies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the nomination and registration stages have been completed. These are important stages of the electoral campaign. During this period, political parties’ lists and candidates in single-member constituencies were nominated and registered. All decisions adopted by electoral bodies during the campaign are communicated to the public, particularly in the regions, and published on the relevant information platforms and in the media. This work must be carried out in a timely and systematic manner throughout all stages of the electoral campaign,” Nurlan Abdirov stated.

During consideration of the first agenda item, the chairpersons of twenty territorial election commissions operating in the capital, regions and cities of national significance presented their reports. They outlined the results of the registration of party lists and candidates in their respective regions. CEC member Azamat Aimanakumov presented consolidated nationwide information.

A total of 10,971 candidates have been registered. Political parties submitted 99 party lists comprising 1,219 individuals for elections to maslikhats at various levels across the country’s 20 regions. Women and young people together account for 43.2% of candidates on party lists. A further 9,752 candidates have been registered in 3,113 single-member constituencies for maslikhats at various levels, with three candidates competing for each seat. In accordance with the Constitutional Law on Elections, information on candidate registration is published in the media and on election commissions’ websites.

Chairman of the Central Election Commission Nurlan Abdirov recalled that the next stage of the electoral campaign - election campaigning - had begun the previous day. During this period, candidates and political parties have the opportunity to present their electoral programmes to voters.

“During election campaigning, it is important to comply with electoral legislation, ensure equal conditions for all candidates and political parties, and maintain the openness and transparency of the electoral campaign. In this regard, the Central Election Commission has established uniform amounts for campaign-related expenses for candidates for maslikhat seats. This decision is intended to ensure equal financial opportunities for all candidates when conducting election campaigning,” Nurlan Abdirov stated.

During consideration of the second agenda item, CEC member Lyazzat Suyindik outlined the legal provisions governing election campaigning. She noted that the campaigning period for the current elections began after 18:00 on 1 November and will continue until 00:00 on 28 November. The day before election day, 28 November, is a day of silence, when election campaigning is prohibited. She recalled the prohibition on photographing and/or filming completed ballot papers and distributing such images or footage on election day. She also explained that political parties and candidates using their own websites and accounts on online platforms are not subject to the requirement to place campaign materials on a contractual basis. It was further emphasized that producing campaign materials outside Kazakhstan, distributing anonymous campaign materials, and using materials produced for an electoral campaign other than the current one remain prohibited.

“I would like to remind everyone that all election campaigning is prohibited on election day and the preceding day. Previously displayed printed campaign materials may remain in their original locations. Campaign materials published on the Internet may also remain where they were originally posted. They must not be moved to the homepages of websites. The publication in the media and on online platforms of public opinion poll results, election forecasts, other election-related research, or polls in support of political parties is prohibited during the five days preceding election day and on election day itself,” Lyazzat Suyindik stated.

CEC Chairman Nurlan Abdirov also addressed all participants in the electoral process. He emphasized the importance of upholding the principles of legality, openness and transparency, ensuring equal conditions for all candidates and political parties, and observing the principles of fair competition when campaigning.

“All participants in the electoral process must comply with the law and exercise their rights and fulfil their duties in accordance with established procedures. Given the scale of the electoral campaign and the large number of candidates for maslikhat seats, a sufficient number of locations must be provided for displaying printed campaign materials. Territorial election commissions must address this issue jointly with local executive bodies. All candidates and political parties must be afforded equal opportunities to display campaign materials in compliance with the law. I instruct the relevant bodies to oversee this work and ensure that the necessary measures are taken promptly,” the CEC Chairman stated.

Under subparagraph 6 of Article 12 of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan”, the Central Election Commission, within its competence, determines the format of ballot papers for elections of maslikhat deputies, the procedure for their production, and their level of security protection. Accordingly, today’s CEC meeting also discussed the design of ballot papers. All ballot papers will be produced in A5 format, with different colours used for maslikhats at different levels.

For Astana, the regions and cities of national significance, ballot papers for electing deputies through party lists will be light blue, while those for single-member territorial constituencies will be green. One side will feature the State Emblem of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the ballot paper’s title. The reverse of the first ballot paper will list political parties in the order determined by the drawing of lots. The reverse of the second will list all registered candidates, indicating their surnames, first names and patronymics in alphabetical order in the state language. Both ballot papers will include an “Against All” option and spaces for voters to mark their choices.

Double-sided ballot papers for electing deputies to the maslikhats of cities of regional significance through single-member territorial constituencies will be purple. Ballot papers for electing deputies to district maslikhats through single-member territorial constituencies will be orange. One side will feature the State Emblem of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the ballot paper’s title. The reverse will list all registered candidates, indicating their surnames, first names and patronymics in alphabetical order in the state language, together with an “Against All” option and spaces for voters to mark their choices.

“Ballot papers are produced in the state and Russian languages in a quantity equal to the number of voters in the constituency, with a reserve of 1% of the total number of voters in that constituency. They are delivered to precinct election commissions no earlier than three days and no later than one day before the elections, with a reserve of 1% of the total number of voters at the polling station,” Azamat Aimanakumov explained.

Today’s CEC meeting also determined the order in which political parties will appear on the ballot paper. CEC member Azamat Aimanakumov conducted the drawing of lots. Representatives of political parties were invited to the table in alphabetical order of their parties’ names in the state language. Each representative personally drew a sealed envelope containing the number indicating their party’s position on the ballot paper.

“Following the drawing of lots held at the meeting of the Central Election Commission, the names of political parties will appear on the ballot paper for the elections of maslikhat deputies scheduled for 29 November 2026 in the following order: 1. Auyl Party; 2. Nationwide Social Democratic Party; 3. People’s Party of Kazakhstan; 4. Respublica Party; 5. Aq Jol Democratic Party of Kazakhstan; 6. Baitaq Green Party of Kazakhstan; 7. Adilet Party. The results of the drawing of lots are approved by the members of the Central Election Commission in the corresponding minutes,” stated Azamat Aimanakumov.

Participants in today’s meeting also discussed online services designed to help citizens vote. In particular, Deputy Chairman of the CEC Mukhtar Yerman noted that these services would enable members of precinct election commissions to verify a citizen’s registered address, which is necessary for inclusion in the voter list. To initiate this process, the citizen must submit an application. The second service presented at the CEC meeting will allow citizens without a registered address to obtain temporary registration at the address of their polling station. Both online services play an important role in helping citizens of Kazakhstan exercise their voting rights.

“Members of precinct election commissions who have access to the relevant service through the eGov portal may, upon a citizen’s written application, obtain information on their permanent registered address for inclusion in the voter list. This service will be available at 5,121 polling stations. In addition, to enable citizens who have no permanent registration and have not previously been included in voter lists to exercise their voting rights, they will be offered the opportunity to obtain temporary registration at the premises housing a polling station for election day only. This option will be available at 218 polling stations nationwide,” Mukhtar Yerman reported.

These projects are being implemented jointly by the Central Election Commission, the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. First Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Rostislav Konyashkin briefed participants on the operation of the services, including mechanisms to prevent and monitor duplicate registrations.

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

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