PRESS RELEASE

On pre-election campaign of candidates to maslikhat deputies instead of retired ones

Currently the pre-election campaign has been held in 30 election districts, where on 30 October 2016 by-election of maslikhat deputies will be held.

According to election legislation equal conditions for the access to media are guaranteed to all candidates. For instance the government guarantees equal allocation to candidates of the means for a 15-minute speech at the television, 10-minute radio spot as well as for publication of two articles in the press in the volume of 0.1 printed sheet.

In this respect within the framework of the current election campaign the state budget allocates KZT 280,000 for campaigning events of each registered candidate to deputy of oblast maslikhat and KZT 165,000 for campaigning events of a candidate to deputy of city or district maslikhat.

In addition in order to conduct campaigning each registered candidate may form his/her election fund, which includes the own means of candidate (not more than KZT 2,285,900), means provided to candidate by a public association, which has nominated him/her (not more than KZT 4,571,800), and voluntary donation of citizens and organizations of the country (not more than KZT 6,857,700). Thus, the maximum size of the financial means in the candidate’s election fund must not exceed KZT 13,715,400.

Media on the contractual basis provide to registered candidates the air time and printed space. At the same time the contractual conditions must not create benefits to this or that candidate.

Also on the contractual basis and equal conditions the local executive bodies provide to candidates the premises for organization of meeting with voters, define special places for posting of printed campaign materials and equip them with advertizing stands, hoardings and columns.

Citizens, public associations not forming election funds are eligible to hold campaigning, which does not require financing.

The following subjects are not eligible to hold campaigning: state and local self-government bodies and their officials; military servants, officers of national security and law-enforcement bodies, judges; members of election commissions; religious organizations. Also foreigners, stateless persons, foreign legal entities and international organizations are not allowed to hold campaigning.

Improper campaigning, i.e. the campaigning accompanying with provision to voters free of charge or on the preferential conditions of goods, services, securities as well as with organization of lotteries, charities, payment of cash or promise to pay it, except of free distribution of printed, including illustrative, campaign materials as well as specially produced for campaigning pins, flags, is prohibited.

Publication of campaign materials in media on the day of election and the day preceding it is prohibited. Printed campaign materials, which were earlier posted outside of the premises of precinct election commissions and polling stations, can be kept in previous places.

Campaign materials can be considered as anonymous if it is not possible to determine their authorship. Spreading of anonymous campaign materials is subject to responsibility under the administrative legislation.