Political Analysts Clarify Voting Innovations for Upcoming Elections to Avoid Confusion
February 20, 2023
The upcoming elections for deputies to the Mazhilis and maslikhats will be held under a new mixed system, as approved in a nationwide referendum last year. Instead of a simple "yes" or "no" choice, voters will now need to fill out up to five sheets when casting their vote. Journalists have delved into the details to better understand this new system.
Residents of Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent will receive 4 ballots each on voting day. In other regions there will be 5, because there will be chosen deputies in city or regional maslikhats. The first two sheets will contain candidates to Mazhilis, both on the lists of political parties and single-mandate candidates. In the 3rd and 4th ballots - candidates for seats in the regional maslikhat, in the 5th - for city or district maslikhats. In it the main difference of forthcoming electoral campaign, political analysts emphasize: both parties and single-mandate candidates will fight for votes of Kazakhstan citizens.
Indira RYSTINA, POLITICAL ANALYST
Under the majoritarian system, each region, i.e. each constituency, elects 1 candidate, and only 1 candidate becomes a deputy of the Mazhilis. Under the proportional system, as it was before, deputy seats are allocated according to the number of votes cast for a party. A mixed system, by which we will now vote, combines the advantages of both systems. And it allows making a more accurate choice and forming a truly representative body.
Political analysts believe that the innovation will spur political forces to activity and have a good effect on the situation in general. They also advise voters to seek information on candidates on the websites of local election commissions.
Serik KALKAMANOV, SENIOR TEACHER, Department of POLITOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY, Buketov KSU:
I recommend accessing official sources of political parties for information on specific candidates and advise seeking confirmation from the district election commissions. This will provide the most reliable and up-to-date information.
As a reminder, the Mazhilis has 98 seats, with a third of them being filled by single-mandate candidates, including self-nominated candidates. Following the elections, the government will resign in accordance with the Constitution, allowing new political forces to form a new Cabinet.
Indira RYSTINA, POLITICAL ANALYST
Under the majoritarian system, each region, i.e. each constituency, elects 1 candidate, and only 1 candidate becomes a deputy of the Mazhilis. Under the proportional system, as it was before, deputy seats are allocated according to the number of votes cast for a party. A mixed system, by which we will now vote, combines the advantages of both systems. And it allows making a more accurate choice and forming a truly representative body.
Political analysts believe that the innovation will spur political forces to activity and have a good effect on the situation in general. They also advise voters to seek information on candidates on the websites of local election commissions.
Serik KALKAMANOV, SENIOR TEACHER, Department of POLITOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY, Buketov KSU:
I recommend accessing official sources of political parties for information on specific candidates and advise seeking confirmation from the district election commissions. This will provide the most reliable and up-to-date information.
As a reminder, the Mazhilis has 98 seats, with a third of them being filled by single-mandate candidates, including self-nominated candidates. Following the elections, the government will resign in accordance with the Constitution, allowing new political forces to form a new Cabinet.
Source: https://astanatv.kz/ru/news/78267/
