Voter turnout in Almaty reached 43.23% in the recent Kurultai deputy elections, marking a record level of electoral activity for the southern capital since 2012. This was reported by political scientist Andrei Chebotarev. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Turnout figures for Almaty residents in parliamentary elections from 2012 to 2026 were as follows:
- 012012: 43.23%
- 022016: 38.5%
- 032021: 35.2%
- 042023: 30.1%
- 052026: 43.23%
Thus, over 11 years, the level of electoral turnout in Almaty consistently declined.
"Moreover, in 2023, this process could not be stopped by the participation in the parliamentary elections of a large number of candidates running in single-mandate districts and representing a wide range of political ideas and beliefs. Although many of them were able to mobilize their numerous supporters and voters to participate in the voting," the expert noted.
Chebotarev added that in the last three years the situation has gradually begun to change in the opposite direction. While 25.39% of Almaty residents voted in the republican referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant, on March 15, 33.43% of the metropolis residents participated in the referendum on the adoption of the new Constitution. Today, Almaty has exceeded the electoral activity indicators of 2012.
"Of course, we still need to study and identify the main factors that influenced this. Most likely, loyal Almaty residents were mainly prompted to vote by the political changes that began with the adoption of the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan," he clarified.
In conclusion, the political scientist noted that the southern capital of Kazakhstan continues to maintain its reputation as the city with the highest level of socio-political activity among the population.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that the preliminary turnout for the Kurultai elections was 74.19%.