Foreign diplomats got acquainted with the preparations for the 

upcoming elections to the Mazhilis of the Parliament of 

the Republic of Kazakhstan

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Election Commission held a joint traditional briefing for representatives of the foreign diplomatic corps accredited in the country, dedicated to the upcoming elections to the Mazhilis of the Parliament and maslikhats of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Opening the event, Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko noted that the upcoming elections to the Mazhilis and maslikhats of all levels are a landmark event for Kazakhstan, marking one of the most transformative periods in the modern history of our country over the past year. He also added that the upcoming elections will undoubtedly be another step towards even greater democracy. As you can judge by the number of elections and reforms that have taken place in our country over the past year, Kazakhstan, in fact, has become a new state.

During his speech, the diplomat spoke about the implementation of reforms, which, despite internal and external challenges, are a clear demonstration that Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is committed to his formula “A strong President – an influential Parliament – an accountable Government.” In doing so, he is determined to ensure continued progress and positive change, as evidenced by the entire set of reforms he has initiated over the past year.

Chairman of the Central Election Commission Nurlan Abdirov spoke about the preparations for early elections to the Mazhilis of the Parliament and maslikhats, as well as key procedural aspects.

Addressing the briefing participants, the Head of the Central Election Commission said that the current election campaign is the fourth in the last 10 months. We held a nationwide referendum on amendments and additions to the Constitution, elections of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as Senators to the Parliament. All efforts of the Central Election Commission are invariably aimed at holding fair, genuine and free elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nurlan Abdirov emphasised.

At the same time, the CEC Head recalled that on January 19, by the Decree of the President, early elections of Mazhilis Members to the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan were scheduled. He stressed that although these elections are formally early, they are held in accordance with the schedule of election campaigns presented by the Head of State in the State-of-the-Nation Address to the people of Kazakhstan in September 2022.

He also noted that the current election campaign is being conducted according to new electoral rules and norms and informed the diplomatic corps about the most significant changes in the electoral legislation, including noting the transition to a new proportional-majoritarian model in the elections of members of the Mazhilis of the Parliament and maslikhats, the abolition of the quota of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan in the Mazhilis of the Parliament and the formation of one of the chambers of the highest national legislative body by direct voting of citizens, as well as the transfer of the work of territorial election commissions to a professional basis.

Nurlan Abdirov stressed that Kazakhstan is entering the era of permanent elections, in this regard, such an innovation as the professionalisation of members of territorial election commissions is of paramount importance. In this regard, much attention is paid to the issue of training members of election commissions and all participants of the electoral process. For this purpose, the CEC organises training workshops in the regions. In addition to territorial, district and precinct commissions, representatives of political parties, the media, NGOs, youth, persons with disabilities and call centre employees are also trained.

The Chairman of the Central Election Commission also briefly reported that as of 18.00 on February 18, the CEC registered party lists of candidates for the Mazhilis of the Parliament of all 7 political parties of the country, which included 281 candidates, 107 of which are women, youth and persons with disabilities, who, as is known, in accordance with the legislation shall be at least 30 percent of the total number included in the list.

Nurlan Abdirov informed the diplomats about the results of registration of candidates, saying that as of March 13, 385 candidates were registered in the Mazhilis of the Parliament in single-seat constituencies. The greatest competition was noted in the constituencies of Astana and Almaty, it is 38 and 40, as well as 30, 28 and 27 candidates for one seat. The least competition based on the results of registration is observed in constituency No. 25 of the Turkestan region – 4 candidates for one seat.

In his speech, the CEC Chairman also spoke about the conduct of the election campaign, he said that the election campaign would last until 00.00 on March 18. Candidates and political parties are provided with equal conditions for access to the media for campaigning and equal allocation of funds for speaking out with programmes. On March 1 and 10, pre-election debates organised by political parties were held live on Qazaqstan and KTK TV channels. On March 16, the pre-election television debates organised by the Central Election Commission will be aired on the Khabar TV channel.

The Central Election Commission operates in an open mode, from the moment the elections are called, all meetings are held in conditions of publicity and accessibility, the media are present, and the opportunity to participate in meetings through live broadcast on Internet resources with sign language translation is provided. International observers are invited to all meetings. Following the results of each meeting, briefings are being held by the Central Election Commission in order to clarify the decisions taken. There is a telegram channel and a special section on elections on the website of the Central Election Commission. A lot of work is being done to provide information support to the electoral campaign.

Nurlan Abdirov noted that within the framework of international partnership, the Central Election Commission is open for cooperation with international institutions, non-governmental organisations and the expert community.

He said that the OSCE/ODIHR had prepared an Interim Report on the Monitoring of the Early Elections of Mazhilis Members to the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which was published on March 3. Also on March 11, the Interim Report of the Mission of Observers from the Commonwealth of Independent States on the progress of monitoring the preparation of early elections of Mazhilis Members to the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan was published.

In his speech, the CEC Head noted that the accreditation of international observers ended on March 13.

The Central Election Commission has accredited 793 observers, including representatives of the OSCE/ODIHR Observer Mission, OSCE PA, CIS, IPA CIS, CSTO PA, Organisation of Turkic States, TurkPA, SCO, CICA, OIC, Parliamentary Assembly for the Mediterranean, as well as from 41 foreign states.

The CEC Chairman said that through bilateral cooperation, representatives of central election commissions of 16 countries, including the chairpersons of the Central Election Commissions of Azerbaijan, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, will arrive to observe the elections.

Nurlan Abdirov thanked the diplomatic corps for their intention to take part in the observation of early elections to the Mazhilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan and assured that the CEC would ensure maximum openness, transparency and democratic procedures for the electoral process.

The heads of foreign diplomatic missions received comprehensive answers from the Chairman of the Central Election Commission to numerous questions regarding the organisation of the upcoming voting and the process of monitoring the elections.