The nomination period for candidates to the unicameral parliament – the Kurultai – has ended in Kazakhstan. The Central Election Commission received lists of 546 candidates from seven parties. Among them are former deputies, entrepreneurs, ex-prosecutors, pop stars, bloggers, and other citizens. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
Who 'Ak Zhol' Nominated
The party with a 24-year history has nominated 63 candidates this time. The list includes entrepreneurs, teachers, former police officers, lawyers, and other professionals. It also includes ex-deputies who worked in the Mazhilis for a long time: Azat Peruashev (14 years), Daniya Yespayeva (10 years), Yerlan Barlybayev (10 years), Berik Duisenbinov (7 years). In addition, Kazybek Isa, Serik Yerubayev, Maksat Ramankulov, Yerzhan Beisenbayev, Yuri Li, Andrey Linnik, Yerlik Omirgali, and Olzhas Nuraldinov were Mazhilis deputies from Ak Zhol for 1-4 years. Among the new faces are father of five Yermek Abildin, teacher with 37 years of experience Lyazzat Zhalmukanova, experienced lawyer Sergey Utkin, history teacher Yerzhan Shagimoldin, dean of the pediatric school Maral Yelubayeva. The Ak Zhol list also includes the party's press secretary, head of the youth entrepreneurship support service Aigerim Arystanova, and member of the youth council Bek-Mukhamed Zhaukeyev.
Who from 'Aul' Goes to Kurultai
The party list of 69 people includes former deputies Karakat Abden, Serik Yegizbayev, Zhiguli Dairabayev, Yerbolat Saurykov, and Nikolay Arsyutin. The new chairman of Aul, Kairat Aituganov, also joined the candidates. Most candidates from the party are managers and branch heads. In addition, representatives of the agricultural sector, business, education, and science. For example, rector of Astana Medical University Anar Turmukhambetova, rector of Kostanay Engineering and Economics University Arman Ismailov, Hero of Labor of Kazakhstan Elmira Traisova, and from the civil service, deputy head of the internal policy department of the presidential administration Dauren Babamuratov. Overall, 71% of candidates are men, 29% are women. 6 people with disabilities are also on the party list. More than half of the candidates are aged 35 to 55.
ADILET Paid the Largest Fee
This party submitted the longest list of candidates for the Kurultai elections. Among them are deputy head of the presidential administration Yerlan Karin, chairman of Kazakhtelecom JSC Bagdat Musin, former head of the Supreme Audit Chamber Natalya Godunova, children's rights ombudsman Dinara Zakieva, Minister of Education Zholdas Suleimenova, and other civil servants. The party list also includes former deputies: Yerlan Sairov, Aidos Sarym, Nikita Shatalov, Murat Abenov, Yekaterina Smyshlyayeva, Sergey Ponamarev, Maxim Rozhin, Snezhana Imasheva, and Marat Bashimov. All of them joined ADILET together with AMANAT. Aizhan Aimaganova, who was a prosecutor at the trial of ex-minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev, will also run from this party. The newly formed party pays the largest election fee for its candidates – 1 million 750 thousand tenge each. This time, only ADILET and the Baitak party pay the fee. The rest are exempt from the fee because they received 5 percent of the vote in the previous elections.
'Baitak' Granted Discount
The Green Party did not enter the Mazhilis in the previous elections but received 2.30 percent of the vote. Therefore, it receives a 30 percent discount on the election fee. Thus, 41 million 947 thousand tenge has already been paid for 47 candidates. Initially, they nominated 51 candidates, but after the last congress, four refused to participate. According to party chairman Azamatkhan Amirtayev, there are no officials in the list who dream of moving from one chair to another. The political organization gives priority to professional lawyers, entrepreneurs, ecologists, engineers, teachers, and doctors.
Who Are the Candidates of the People's Party of Kazakhstan
The People's Party of Kazakhstan has nominated 72 candidates for the upcoming elections. Among the former deputies are Irina Smirnova, Asylbek Nuralin, and Kenzhegul Seitzhan. Among the famous people, singer Tamara Asar can be noted. Teacher Igor Gnoevoy, known on TikTok, also entered the party list. In addition, ex-senator Lyazzat Suleimenova, former vice minister of health Lyazat Aktayeva, and two-time world champion in Muay Thai Daniyar Argumbayev will run from the People's Party. The newly elected chairman of the party, Nursultan Shokanov, and his deputies also intend to become deputies.
List of the Nationwide Social Democratic Party
The political organization that nominated the fewest candidates for the Kurultai elections is the Nationwide Social Democratic Party. Among the 33 people, there are no famous stars or officials. The majority of candidates are activists from the party's central apparatus and regions. Among the former deputies are Askhat Rakhimzhanov, Nurlan Auesbayev, Azhar Sagandykova, and Nauryz Sailaubay. Four deputies of the NSDP first entered the Mazhilis after the 2023 elections.