Kazakhstan
- 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)
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)
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