INTERACTION BETWEEN TERRITORIAL ELECTION 

COMMISSIONS AND GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES IN THE 

PREPARATION AND CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS OF MASLIKHAT 

DEPUTIES

A roundtable discussion on “Interaction between Territorial Election Commissions and Government Authorities in the Preparation and Conduct of Elections of Deputies of the Maslikhats of the Republic of Kazakhstan” was held today at the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Opening the roundtable discussion, Assel Zhanabilova, a member of the Central Election Commission, emphasized that the conduct of elections of maslikhat deputies is a fundamental stage in the political modernization of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

She recalled that representative bodies at all levels are formed under a mixed electoral system. At the regional level, in cities of republican significance and in the capital, 50% of deputies are elected through the proportional representation system, that is, through party lists, while the remaining 50% are elected from single-member territorial constituencies. At the district level and in cities of regional significance, 100% of deputies are elected from single-member constituencies.

It was also noted that elections are conducted at the regional level and, therefore, interagency coordination at this level is of particular importance.

“The legality, transparency and high organizational standards of the electoral process depend not only on the work of territorial, district and precinct election commissions, but also on the effectiveness of their cooperation with key government authorities. Interagency coordination at the regional level is the main guarantee of adherence to the principle of ‘Law and Order’, transparency and equal conditions for all participants in the electoral process. Clear and well-coordinated cooperation between election commissions and the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance, the Committee on Legal Statistics and Special Records of the Prosecutor General’s Office, and the Migration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, together with judicial protection, provides a reliable mechanism for ensuring compliance with the law, preventing violations and strengthening public confidence in representative institutions,” Assel Zhanabilova stated.

During the roundtable discussion, participants also addressed the most pressing issues that members of election commissions and candidates may encounter.

A representative of the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance spoke about the procedures for verifying the accuracy of information on assets and liabilities submitted by candidates and their spouses at the time of nomination.

An official from the Migration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan explained the procedures for verifying candidates’ citizenship, while a representative of the Committee on Legal Statistics and Special Records addressed issues related to conducting background checks for criminal records, corruption-related offences and crimes.

A representative of the Judicial Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan highlighted the importance of the prompt resolution of electoral disputes, the protection of electoral rights and the enforcement of judicial decisions.

Representatives of territorial election commissions from the capital, regions, cities and districts, as well as district election commissions and government authorities, participated in the meeting online.

A total of approximately 1,100 participants joined the meeting. All participants received comprehensive answers to the most pressing questions.