Kazakhstan is set to hold early elections for its local representative bodies, known as maslikhats, on November 29. This decision comes after the Central Election Commission’s announcement, following President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s decree that ended the powers of maslikhats at all levels.
The upcoming elections will fill 3,447 seats across 228 maslikhats, which operate at the regional, city, and district levels. Specifically, voters will elect representatives for 668 regional seats, 626 city seats, and 2,053 district seats. These elections are crucial as they mark a significant reshuffle in the local governance structure, providing an opportunity for new political dynamics at the grassroots level.
Under Kazakhstan’s election law, the Central Election Commission is mandated to call for early elections within two months after the powers of a maslikhat are prematurely terminated. This legal framework ensures prompt electoral processes and continuity in local governance.
Maslikhat deputies are chosen through direct, equal, and secret voting by local residents, and they serve five-year terms once elected. This democratic process is designed to reflect the will of the people in local governance, ensuring that elected officials are directly accountable to their constituents.