Early elections of maslikhat deputies may be held in Kazakhstan before the end of the year. The reason is that most of them were elected from the "Amanat" party. This party ceased its activities after joining "Adilet". However, the legislative procedures have not yet been completed. And after these procedures are completed, if former Amanat members join the new party, they will have to be re-elected to the maslikhat. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
What maslikhats do
According to the Constitution, maslikhat deputies express the will and interests of the local population and determine the measures necessary for their implementation.
Powers of a deputy:
- 01approval of territorial development plans, economic and social programs, the local budget and reports on their implementation;
- 02resolution of issues of local administrative-territorial structure within their competence;
- 03consideration of reports of heads of local executive bodies;
- 04exercise of other powers to ensure the rights and legitimate interests of citizens in accordance with the law.
In addition, the president appoints akims of regions and cities of republican significance with the consent of maslikhat deputies.
How candidates for deputies are nominated
According to the law, elections of maslikhat deputies are held under a mixed system. This means that candidates are nominated by political parties and public associations. There is also the right of self-nomination. A candidate who meets all requirements may nominate himself. To run in the elections, one must submit an application to the relevant district election commission. And if, at the end of the candidate registration period, there are only two candidates, the election commission extends the nomination period by no more than 20 days.
Procedure for registering candidates
Party lists and self-nominated candidates are registered by the territorial election commission. After that, a fee must be paid for each candidate. Its amount is 425,000 tenge. Those who previously participated in maslikhat elections and received a certain share of the vote are exempt from the fee or receive a discount:
- 015 percent of votes – 0 tenge;
- 023-5 percent of votes – 212,500 tenge;
- 031-3 percent of votes – 297,500 tenge.
After the elections, the fee of deputies who entered the maslikhat is refunded.
Documents required for a candidate
A political party first submits a copy of the document on registration of the organization, as well as an extract from the protocol on the nomination of the party list. There must also be a statement from the candidate consenting to inclusion in the party list.
Main documents:
- 01application of intent to run in the elections;
- 02biographical data about the candidate;
- 03certificate from the state revenue body confirming the submission of the income declaration of the candidate and his spouse;
- 04document confirming the candidate's payment of the election fee.
In the party list, the number of women and youth must be at least thirty percent. The list is sent to the territorial election commission within five days. Registered candidates are issued a corresponding certificate. And the commission publishes the names of all candidates within seven days.
Grounds for exclusion from the party list
A candidate who has expressed intent to participate in the elections and is included in the party list may be removed from the elections. Main reasons:
- 01non-compliance with the requirements for a candidate;
- 02inaccuracy of information in the income declaration;
- 03use of official or service position in the pre-election campaign;
- 04conducting pre-election campaigning before the end of the party list registration period;
- 05facts of voter bribery.
A political party may file a complaint with the court. The court's decision is final. But two days before the election, a person included in the party list cannot be removed.
How votes are counted
The election result must be published within five days.
"If more than two candidates for maslikhat deputy are included on the ballot and none of them is elected, the district election commission appoints a repeat vote for the two candidates who received the highest number of votes. If, as a result of the withdrawal of candidacies, only one candidate remains, then a repeat vote on his candidacy is not held and he is considered elected," the law says.
Territorial election commissions may also hold a repeat vote.
There will be several ballots in the elections
In the 2023 maslikhat elections, there were three ballots. In one, party lists were chosen; in the second, votes were cast for self-nominated candidates. And residents of the region were given a third ballot. Because there, in addition to the regional maslikhat, there are city and district maslikhats. Maslikhat deputies are elected by secret ballot for five years.
When the elections will be held
Earlier, Tokayev explained why it is necessary to hold elections of maslikhat deputies.
"Most of the deputies were elected from the "Amanat" party. Today this political organization, having joined the "Adilet" party, has ceased its activities. Soon the relevant legislative procedures will be completed. Then a question will arise regarding the legality of the activities of the majority of maslikhat deputies," Tokayev said at the first session of the National Council.
The president, after consulting with the prime minister and the chairman of the Qurultai, will sign a corresponding decree on the early termination of the powers of maslikhats at all levels. And the elections must be held no later than two months from the day of early termination of the powers of maslikhats. The date of the elections must be announced by the Central Election Commission.