PRESS RELEASE

On 21 January a press-conference of the CEC of RK on explanation of basic election procedures for preparation and conduct of the forthcoming elections to the Mazhilis of Parliament and maslikhats was held

On 21 January 2016 a press-conference of the Central Election Commission on explanation of the basic electoral procedures for the preparation and conduct of the election of deputies of the Mazhilis of Parliament to be elected by party lists and election of deputies of maslikhats called on 20 March 2016 as well as election of deputies of the Mazhilis of Parliament to be elected by the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan called on 21 March 2016 was held at the Central Communications Service under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Chairman of CEC K. Turgankulov informed the representatives of mass media that on 20 January the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan has approved the Calendar plans of main activities for the preparation and conduct of these elections.

“In general, we believe that the combination of the elections of deputies of the Mazhilis and deputies of maslikhats in the current economic conditions is objectively reasonable solution. This will provide significant savings in the budget means allocated for holding the election campaigns. And it is about 4.8 billion tenge” - K. Turgankulov said.

According to the approved Calendar plans the main stages of the election campaigns will be held on the following dates.

At election of deputies of the Mazhilis of the Parliament to be elected based on party lists, nomination of candidates will be held till 8 February, and the registration of party lists till 19 February 2016.

According to the law on elections the right to nominate candidates to deputies of the Mazhilis to be elected by party lists belongs to political parties and the right to nominate candidates to deputies of the Mazhilis to be elected by the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan - to the Board of the Assembly.

To be elected as a deputy of the Mazhilis a citizen should meet the requirements established by the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In particular, according to the provisions of the Basic Law of our country, a person who has reached 25 years, who is a citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan and permanently reside in its territory for the last ten years may be elected as a deputy of the Mazhilis. Citizens, who are recognized by court as legally incapable as well as those who kept in places of confinement under the court’s sentence, do not have the right to elect and to be elected.

Inclusion of persons on party list for the election as a deputy of the Mazhilis is made by a majority votes of all members of the supreme body of a political party. Wherein political parties are not entitled to include on the party lists the persons who are not the members of this political party.

The terms of election procedures at election of deputies of the Mazhilis to be elected by the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan do not coincide with the dates for the election of deputies of the Mazhilis to be elected by party lists.

Nomination of candidates to deputies of the Mazhilis by the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan will be held till 29 February, and their registration from 29 February till 5 March.

At election of deputies of maslikhats nomination of candidates will continue till 19 February 2016.

At the same time the nomination of candidates to deputies of maslikhats shall be held by the republican and local public associations , which have been registered in prescribed manner, and by their structural divisions as well as by citizens – by self-nomination.

During the press-conference the Head of the CEC underlined that currently the CEC has all the necessary human and material resources and is ready for the conduct of elections.

Citizens and stakeholders of electoral process will be provided with the opportunity to freely and efficiently realize their constitutional right.

At the end of his speech the Head of the CEC informed that in a short time the press-center will be opened for the period of preparation and conduct of elections.

In the course of press-conference the members of the CEC answered to the questions of media representatives.

In particular, it was noted that one of the most important tasks of election bodies of the country is to ensure implementation of fundamental international principles for organization, preparation and conduct of elections.

Also openness, publicity and transparency of the electoral process in all its stages will be facilitated by the active participation of domestic and foreign experts in election observation. For this purpose the institute of international election observation shall be opened jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The CEC will provide election bodies with necessary organizational, methodological and informational support. The corresponding manuals, brochures, printed as well as audio and video materials shall be developed.