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System of government

Last Updated : 2016-10-07

Unitary dominant-party presidential republic

System of government-References:

 

Total population

Last Updated : 2016-10-07

17,693,500

 

Total population-References:

 

Total area (in square kilo meters)

Last Updated : 2016-10-07

2,724,900 km²

 

Total area (in square kilo meters)-References:

 

Number of registered voters

Last Updated : 2016-10-07

9,818,852

 

Number of registered voters-References:

 

Number of registered political parties

Last Updated : 2016-11-16

 Kazakhstan is a dominant-party state with Nur-Otan in power. (Currently, 14 parties are registered)

Number of registered political parties-References:

 

Number of polling stations

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

Citizens will be able to cast ballots in 9,840 polling stations in the country. There will also be 65 polling stations set up abroad, including six polling stations in Russia, five in China and two in Belarus, Germany and Saudi Arabia.

Number of polling stations-References:

 

Average number of voters per polling station

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Voting age

Last Updated : 2016-08-25

18

 

Voting age-References:

 

Elected Offices

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Election system

Last Updated : 2016-10-07

List Proportional Representation - Other 

Election system-References:

 

Terms of office

Last Updated : 2016-10-07

The President is elected by plurality vote to serve a 5-year term.

In the Senate, 15 members are appointed by the president to serve 6-year terms, and 32 members are indirectly elected by regional legislatures in a secret-ballot vote to serve 6-year terms.

In the House of Representatives (Mazhilis), 98 members are elected through a closed-list proportional representation system to serve 5-year terms and 9 members are appointed to serve 5-year terms.

 

Terms of office-References:

 

Election

Last Updated : 2016-10-07

Kazakhstani legislative election, 2016

 

Election-References:

 

Date

Last Updated : 2016-10-07

20 March 2016

 

Date-References:

 

Political parties in the elections

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

Out of the seven political parties registered in Kazakhstan, six will be participating in the early 2016 parliamentary elections: The Nur Otan party, the Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan, the Democratic Party of Kazakhstan (Ak Zhol), Birlik, the Nationwide Social Democratic Party, and the People's Democratic Patriotic Party (Aul).

 

 

Political parties in the elections-References:

 

Number of elected candidates

Last Updated : 2016-10-11

98 seats in House of Representative (2016)

 

Number of elected candidates-References:

 

Voter turnout

Last Updated : 2016-10-07

77%

 

Voter turnout-References:

 

Number of ballots cast

Last Updated : 2016-10-07

7,566,150

 

Number of ballots cast-References:

 

Legal framework for elections

Last Updated : 2016-08-25

Part of Constitution - Separate legislation

 

Legal framework for elections-References:

 

Legal provisions

Last Updated : 2016-11-07

The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, art. 1, 3, 33, 44, 54, 90, 91 Constitutional Act of the Republic of Kazakhstan On Republican Referendum No. 2592.

 

Legal provisions-References:

 

Referenda

Last Updated : 2016-11-07

The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, art. 91.

 

Referenda-References:

 

People’s Initiatives

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

Constitutional Act of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Republican Referendum", art. 11.

 

People’s Initiatives-References:

 

Recall Votes

Last Updated : 2016-11-25

N/A

 

Recall Votes-References:

 

Official name

Last Updated : 2016-08-25

The Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan

 

Official name -References:

 

Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

The elections will be administered by the Central Election Commission (CEC), 16 Regional Election Commissions, 208 Territorial Election Commissions, and more than 9,840 Precinct Election Commissions. The CEC is responsible for the overall conduct of the election, including candidate registration and maintenance of the voter list, as well as overseeing of campaign finances.

 

Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions-References:

 

Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)

Last Updated : 2016-10-11

Independent

 

Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)-References:

 

EMB budget source

Last Updated : 2016-08-25

The legislature

 

EMB budget source-References:

 

EMB expenditure audit

Last Updated : 2016-10-11

Control over spending by candidates of the funds allocated from the republican budget for the election campaigns shall be exercised according to legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

 

EMB expenditure audit-References:

 

Number of EMB members (commissioners)

Last Updated : 2016-08-25

1 - 10 members

 

Number of EMB members (commissioners)-References:

 

Term of EMB members (commissioners)

Last Updated : 2016-08-25

For a specified number of years

 

Term of EMB members (commissioners)-References:

 

Who appoints members (commissioners)?

Last Updated : 2016-08-25

Head of State - Legislature

 

Who appoints members (commissioners)?-References:

 

Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson

Last Updated : 2016-12-12

N/A

 

Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson-References:

 

Administrative divisions

Last Updated : 2016-11-04

Kazakhstan is divided into 14 regions. The regions are further subdivided into districts.

Administrative divisions -References:

 

Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district)

Last Updated : 2016-11-04

constituencies are delimited for election purposes

 

Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district) -References:

 

Criteria for drawing boundaries

Last Updated : 2016-08-25

"Equality" of population - Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries

 

Criteria for drawing boundaries-References:

 

Body responsible for drawing boundaries

Last Updated : 2016-11-04

Electoral Management Body

 

Body responsible for drawing boundaries-References:

 

Requirements on the right to vote

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

Kazakhstani citizens over the age of 18 have the right to vote, with the exception of those deemed incapable by a court decision.

 

Requirements on the right to vote-References:

 

Reasons for having the right to vote revoked

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Electoral Eligibility

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Reasons for having the eligibility revoked

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Requirements for party registration

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

In order for a party to have allocated seats in the Majilis, it must obtain at least seven percent of the total number of votes. If only one party is able to pass the threshold, the political party that receives the second highest number of votes will be given at least two seats as well. The allocation of candidate seats on the party lists is determined by each political party following the election. The political parties are not bound by any particular list order.

 

Requirements for party registration-References:

 

Candidate nomination

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

Independent candidates are not allowed and political parties are prohibited from forming electoral blocs, which is inconsistent with international standards.

 

Candidate nomination-References:

 

Candidate Registration (National Assembly members)

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

In the country’s local elections, a total of 3,335 members of Maslikhats will be elected at different levels. There will be 550 candidates elected to the regional Maslikhats, 625 to the city Maslikhats, and 2,160 candidates to the district Maslikhats. Candidates  are self-nominated and the campaign consists of three main stages: 1) The nomination of candidates to the Maslikhats until February 19; 2) Registration until February 23; and 3) Campaigning from February 24 until March 18. 

Candidate Registration (National Assembly members) -References:

 

Candidate registration deposit

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

- Amount of fee

- Return of fee

Uncontested Election

Last Updated : 2016-12-16

N/A

 

Uncontested Election -References:

 

Preparation of the voters list

Last Updated : 2016-11-16

Extracted from a population/civil registry         

 

Preparation of the voters list-References:

 

Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)

Last Updated : 2016-11-16

No 

Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)-References:

 

Who is responsible for the voters list

Last Updated : 2016-10-13

Akimats are responsible for the compilation of voter lists, based on data provided by the bodies in charge of the population register. They submit data about registered voters to the respective TEC twice a year, electronically and in hardcopy. The CEC maintains the nationwide electronic voter register to identify duplicate records.

Who is responsible for the voters list -References:

 

Voters list preparation procedure

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

In Kazakhstan, voter registration is passive and voter lists are compiled by City Councils (Akimats) based on local residency data. The data on registered voters is submitted by Akimats to the respective Territorial Election Commission twice a year, both electronically and in hardcopy. In an effort to identify duplicate entries, the Akimats forward voter lists to the Central Election Commission 20 days before an election, where a nationwide electronic voter list is maintained. Voter lists are made public 15 days prior to Election Day. Eligible voters not included in the voter list, who can prove their residence within the precinct, may be registered up until Election Day.

Voters list preparation procedure -References:

 

Inspection and objection procedure

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Definition

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Period

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Methods

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Prohibited forms of campaigning

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

- Who is not permitted to campaign

Campaign Finance

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

Parties are responsible for establishing their own election fund for campaigning. Kazakhstan’s election law asserts that political parties have equal rights for participating in the elections. Based on the country’s electoral law, candidates standing for elections under party lists are not allowed to form their own election funds. The election fund of the political party is formed from the party’s own funds and the total sum should not exceed the amount of the minimum wage established by legislation by more than 5,000 times. Meanwhile, the sum of donations of citizens and organizations of Kazakhstan should not exceed the size of the minimum wage established by legislation by more than 10,000 times. Candidates and political parties are prohibited from accepting goods or services free of charge, and candidates in state positions are forbidden to use their position to their campaign’s advantage.

Campaign Finance-References:

 

Presiding officers

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

① How many of officers in a polling station

② Roles of each officer

③ How we nominate the officers

Facilities or items a polling station is equipped with

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Polling station location criteria

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Voting hours

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Voting

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

① Is compulsory or voluntary?

② How many ballot papers are distributed to each voter?

Ballot Paper

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

① Determination of the order of candidates on ballots

② What has to be included in the ballot paper?

③ Ballot paper design or sample ballot paper

④ Valid and invalid ballot paper

Voting Procedures

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

- Start ofvoting

- Process of voting

- End of voting

Marking method

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Special voting (Absentee / Early / Proxy / Assisted / Postal / etc)

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

① Who are subjected to do

② Voting procedures

Counting Location

Last Updated : 2016-08-25

The polling stations

 

Counting Location-References:

 

Counting period

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Vote counting method

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Counting Procedures

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

- Start of counting

- Process of counting

- End of counting

When are ballots recounted?

Last Updated : 2016-08-25

By request - Other

 

When are ballots recounted?-References:

 

Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?

Last Updated : 2016-10-13

Voting outside the country is permitted for
Citizens residing outside the country
Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation)

 

Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?-References:

 

Overseas voters list preparation

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Where to vote

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Voting procedure for early voting

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Methods used to transport ballot papers

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Counting procedure

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

How is the elected candidate chosen in the case of a tie?

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Apportioning of National Assembly seats

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Results Announcement

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Is the announcement of preliminary result required?

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Deadline for announcement of final results

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Reason for holding a by- or re-election

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

By-election dates

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Electoral process

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time

Last Updated : 2016-08-25

Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance

 

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time-References:

 

Television debates

Last Updated : 2016-08-25

legislative elections

 

Television debates-References:

 

Blackout period for release of election survey results

Last Updated : 2016-08-25

4-5 days

 

Blackout period for release of election survey results-References:

 

Electoral dispute resolution body

Last Updated : 2016-11-04

Judiciary - EMB

 

Electoral dispute resolution body-References:

 

Electoral dispute resolution mechanism

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

Any appeals regarding the final results must be made to the Constitutional Council within 10 days of the announcement. Final appeals can only be made by the President, the Speakers of the upper and lower chambers of Parliament, or the Prime Minister and at least one-fifth of the total number of members of Parliament.

 

Electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:

 

Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism

Last Updated : 2016-12-12

N/A

 

Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:

 

Direct public funding

Last Updated : 2016-10-13

Budget funds are annually allocated to political parties represented in the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the basis of the results of the last elections. 2. The size of the budget allocated for the financing of the activity of political parties is determined by the law on the republican budget. 3. The procedure for financing political parties is determined by the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Direct public funding-References:

 

Private funding of political parties

Last Updated : 2016-12-12

 

1. Pre-election campaigns of candidates at elections of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and elections of deputies of Parliament and Maslikhats can be funded from the election funds formed in compliance with the procedure established by this Constitutional Law. 2. The election funds shall be subject to the state registration in the order established by the legislation. 3. The election funds shall be formed from the following sources: 1) personal means of candidates, funds of political parties; 2) means allocated to the candidate by the republican public association that has nominated the candidate; 3) voluntary donations of citizens and organizations of the Republic. The voluntary donations of the state bodies and organizations, local self-government bodies, charitable organizations, religious associations, legal entities of Kazakhstan foreign stock in their charter capital as well as anonymous donations of physical persons and legal entities shall be forbidden.

 

Private funding of political parties-References:

 

Regulation, monitoring and investigation

Last Updated : 2016-10-13

Art 18 (2) No donations shall be permitted in favor of a political party or its structural divisions (branches and representative offices) from: ? any foreign states and legal entities, or international organizations; ? any foreigners and stateless persons; ? any legal entities with foreign participation; ? any state bodies or organizations; ? any religious associations or charitable organizations; ? any anonymous donors; ? from citizens or non-governmental organizations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, receiving grants and other funds from international or foreign non-governmental organizations. Donations received from the persons mentioned in this paragraph shall be transferred to the state budget by the court decision. Art 14 (5) According to the decision of the court a political party may be liquidated in the following cases: […] - financing by foreign legal entities and citizens, foreign states and international organizations, accepting by a political party donations, prohibited by this Act […]. (Law on Political Parties of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 2002)

Art 34 (5) “The money resources received above the established limit shall not be included in the election funds’ account number and shall be returned to the citizens and organizations that have donated the money. At that, the expenses connected to return of the indicated money are covered at the expense of the citizens and organizations that have contributed the funds. Anonymous donations shall be turned to the in the revenues of the Republican budget.” (Constitutional Act of the Republic of Kazakhstan, On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan, 1995)

Regulation, monitoring and investigation-References:

 

Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies

Last Updated : 2016-10-13

Art 36 "1. Control over expenditure by candidates of the funds from the Republican budget allocated for election campaigns is exercised according to the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 2. Control over expenditure of the funds from the election funds is exercised by the corresponding election commissions and financial institutions. 3. At suggestion of the corresponding election commissions, experts from the state bodies can be attracted to conduct the aforementioned control within their competency." (Constitutional Act of the Republic of Kazakhstan, On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan, 1995)

Art 18-1 (4) The control over spending of budgetary funds is carried out in accordance with the budget legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. (Law on Political Parties of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 2002)

Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies-References:

 

Which electoral processes are using ICTs?

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

publishes the election (voting) results aggregated at constituency level and nationsal results online

 

publishes resultsFull details (total votes cast, votes cast for each candidate/party, invalid votes) of the election (voting) online

 

official election results processed by an electronic tabulation system at polling station level, online connected to central station are entered into an electronic tabulation system

 

Which electoral processes are using ICTs? -References:

 

When it was introduced

Last Updated : 2016-12-12

N/A

 

When it was introduced-References:

 

Gender equality

Last Updated : 2016-11-25

Female Population: 1,525,439 (July 2015 est.)

·         Is Mongolia a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (17 July 1980)

·         Has Mongolia ratified CEDAW: Yes (20 July 1981)

·         Gender Quota: Yes

·         Female candidates in this election: Yes

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 11 (14.47%)

·         Human Development Index Position: 90 (2014)

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Very Low (2014)

Gender equality-References:

 

Aids for disabled or handicapped voters

Last Updated : 2016-11-16

Is Kazakhstan a signatory to CRPD: Yes (11 December 2008)

Has Kazakhstan ratified CRPD: Yes (21 April 2015)

Population with a disability: 2,723,568

 

Aids for disabled or handicapped voters -References:

 

Voter education

Last Updated : 2016-08-25

Election time only

 

Voter education-References:

 

National civic education

Last Updated : 2016-08-25

conducted by NGOs/ Civic Organizations

 

National civic education-References:

 

EMB Staff education

Last Updated : 2016-12-12

N/A

 

EMB Staff education-References:

 

Domestic observation

Last Updated : 2016-11-25

International observation

Last Updated : 2016-11-16

Following an official invitation and in accordance with its mandate, the OSCE/ODIHR has deployed a limited election observation mission (LEOM) to observe the 24 April 2016 early parliamentary elections.

International observation-References:

 

Partnerships/MoUs

Last Updated : 2016-10-13

Within the framework of bilateral cooperation the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan has signed agreements with the electoral authorities of the five states, including:    

 

1. Protocol on Cooperation and Exchange of Legal Information between the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Central Election Commission of Russian Federation (Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg, 18 June 2009) 

   

2. Memorandum of Understanding between the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the National Election Commission of the Republic of Korea for Cooperation in the field of Election Management (Republic of Korea, Seoul, 14 December 2010). 

   

3. Memorandum of Understanding between the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Latvia (Republic of Latvia, Riga, 15 September 2011). 

   

 4. Memorandum of Understanding between the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda of Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyz Republic, Cholpon-Ata, 9 August 2012) 

   

 5. Memorandum of Understanding between the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Moldova (Republic of Moldova, Chisinau, 16 May 2013). 

 

Partnerships/MoUs-References:

 

International Activities

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

The parliamentary elections are expected to be monitored by over 900 international observers. Over 400 observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human (OSCE/ODIHR) election observation mission are expected, as well as more than 300 from the Commonwealth of the Independent States election observation mission. In addition, over 10 observers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) mission are expected. The OSCE team will also be joined by observers from the Council of Europe, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the SCO, along with a number of interested countries including North Korea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also accredited 99 representatives from foreign media.

 

International Activities-References:

 

Major challenges to elections

Last Updated : 2016-11-25

Measures taken to deal with those Challenges

Last Updated : 2016-05-03