"Golden" Electoral Districts of Kazakhstan – The Battle of Candidates For The Majilis

Kazakhstan changed the electoral legislation again at the end of last year, and quite seriously. The main takeaway is the return of self–nominees to the Majilis and Maslikhats.

Everything is more or less obvious with the political parties. There is no pronounced opposition in them. Even the recently registered parties, i.e. Baytak and Respublika, have not alluded to such positions and fully support the current political course and reforms. On January 31, Olzhas Suleimenov's party "People's Congress of Kazakhstan" was registered with the Ministry of Justice, but it is not yet clear whether they will make it in time for the elections.

An interesting aspect of the elections may end up being in the single–mandate districts. There are now 29 of them, according to the number of self-nominated deputies, who, if they change the balance of power in the Parliament, will definitely make its work more interesting.

Single-mandate Districts of Kazakhstan and Candidates

30% of the deputies of the Mazhilis will now be elected independently, 70% from party lists. Most of the mandates went to the densely populated Almaty and Turkestan regions: 3 each. Astana, Karaganda region, Shymkent, Jambyl and Almaty regions each have 2 mandates. There will be one self-nominee in the remaining regions.

Regional policy is certainly important. They likely have vivid characters as well. The law also restricts self–nominees only if they have an outstanding criminal record or conviction for corruption crimes. They must also have citizenship and residence on the territory of the republic. Their residency must have been in Kazakhstan 10 years prior to the election and candidates must be over 25 years old.

There is also a financial factor. Self–promotion costs money, but the amount is not catastrophic. 15 minimum monthly salaries, or as of 2023, 1 million 50 thousand KZT. The fee is refunded if the candidate receives more than 5% of the votes in his district.

Both parties and public associations can nominate a self-nominee. A potential candidate can also do this.

Intriguing Districts

It's never worth belittling the importance of each region, though the former capital and the most populous metropolis, Almaty, and its inhabitants are always on one's lips. The main and most unpredictable battle of local titans is expected to take place in the southern capital. According to the law, the city received 3 (Alatau and Auezov districts), 4 (Almaly, Zhetysu and Turksib districts), and 5 (Bostandy, Medeu and Nauryzbay districts) electoral district numbers. The action is likely to unfold in these areas.

The popular investigative journalist Dinara Egeubayeva was the first to report on receiving the protocol of candidates' compliance for deputies. She has been working on the topic of the Bloody January Events, talks, studies and publishes information about victims of the protests. Her candidacy has not officially been registered. There are still a few formalities left.

Togzhan Kozhalieva also intends to participate in the Majilis elections. The leader of the public association "Halykka Adal Kyzmet" (HAQ), which is engaged in independent election monitoring, gained popularity thanks to the collection of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Her interview in which she shared conservative views on family life and even admitted that she was looking for a tokal (Ed. term used for another wife) for her ex-spouse also caught people's attention.

Another candidate is Aibek Barysov. He is the chairman of the Association of Enterprises of the military-industrial complex. He is also the founder of the recently formed movement of economic nationalism, Qazaqstanda Jasalgan. Barysov took up defending the interests of Kazakhstani producers, whom officials sometimes ignore out of arrogance or because of convenience.

The founder of the KazTAG international news agency and journalist Asset Matayev also decided to try his hand at politics. The Supreme Court of Kazakhstan fully acquitted Asset Matayev and his father Seitkazy in July 2022. The father and son served several years in prison over false embezzlement charges.

Financier and lawyer Orazaly Yerzhanov, once the owner of Nauryz Bank, and now co–founder of the public foundation Elge Qaitaru. The Fund is engaged in the search and return of illegally exported assets from Kazakhstan.

Emurat Bapi, a politician and honorary journalist of Kazakhstan, also nominated his candidacy for the Majilis elections from the 3rd district of Almaty.

Worth Remembering

The return of elections in single–mandate districts with fierce competition between candidates is one of the best innovations in New Kazakhstan. They must be transparent and the counting of votes should be honest. This way, not only true patriots will be able to get into Parliament but also those who want to change the country for the better, make it fairer and more successful. Some will try to promise and tell voters what they want to hear. Instead of fulfilled promises and fiery speeches, careerism, populism and simply deception could take centre stage.

The new election law provides for the procedure for the withdrawal of such candidates according to the voters' statements. Yet it can be no earlier than a year after the deputy receives a mandate and fails to fulfil their duties or promises. It is also imperative that the procedure won't be an instrument for those who want to remove inconveniencies from the Majilis.

Orda.kz's editorial office has received reports that some candidates, or those who want to become them, have started collecting funds for The Election Commission fee. It is necessary to carefully study and analyze this information so that a nomination does not become a way of enriching individuals.

Candidates for single-mandate constituencies must be nominated 40 days before the election. They have only a few days left for this. The vote in the Majilis will be held on March 19.

Original Author: Maksim Skopin

DISCLAIMER: This is a translated piece. The text has been modified, the content is the same. Please refer to the original article in Russian for accuracy.