On August 3-5, 2022, a seminar-meetings for territorial election commissions were held

On August 3-5 this year, the Central Election Commission held a seminar-meeting for chairpersons of territorial election commissions of regions, cities of republican significance and the capital. During the three-day working sessions, Nurlan Abdirov, Chairman of the Central Election Commission, Konstantin Petrov, Deputy Chairman, and members of the CEC Sabila Mustafina, Anastasia Shchegortsova, Assylbek Smagulov and Shavkhat Utemisov were the main speakers.

The first day of the seminar-meeting was devoted to the results of the national referendum campaign. The questions of the commissions' work on preparation to the referendum, organization of the voting day, including creation of conditions for disabled people, were discussed. Also the analysis of information, financial providing, results of training of participants of referendum, consideration of references of physical and legal bodies, and also the judicial certificates was carried out. The representatives of territorial electoral commissions shared their work experience in different kinds of activities during preparation and conducting of the referendum. As a result of the first block of the seminar there was an active exchange of opinions, and taking into account the results of the referendum campaign, the territorial election commissions were given a number of instructions on further systematic work of the election commissions.

On the second day, the draft amendments and additions to the election legislation proposed by the Government within the framework of implementation of the Address of President Kassym- Jomart Tokayev to the people of Kazakhstan was presented to the participants of the seminar. The members of CEC explained in detail to territorial election commissions the novelties of legislation related to the introduction of mixed electoral system in conducting elections of deputies to Mazhilis and Maslikhats, development of the practice of electing akims, legal regulation of campaigning in social

networks, activities of national observers, non-government financing of elections and other areas to modernize the electoral process. In addition, the administrative and procedural bases and procedures for consideration of electoral disputes were considered. As a result of the discussion the territorial electoral commissions were entrusted to present proposals and recommendations for further improvement of the electoral legislation and law application practice.

On the third day the theme of professionalization of territorial election commissions was discussed. The Director of the Center for Electoral Education at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhanar Bukanova shared the plans for future work on preparation and training of the participants of the electoral process on the basis of the Center.

At the end of the seminar Chairman of Central Election Commission Nurlan Abdirov marked that big work has been done, results of republican referendum were summarized, key tasks were explained and next steps for realization of constitutional-political reforms carried out in the country were outlined and he gave some concrete assignments.