Kazakhstan Set for Landmark Local Governor Elections This Sunday
Kazakhstan Prepares to Hold Historic Elections for Local Governors
In a groundbreaking move, Kazakhstan is gearing up for its first-ever elections for akims (governors) in various districts and cities of regional significance. The Central Election Commission (CEC) Deputy Chair Konstantin Petrov announced during an online meeting on October 6 that the elections will take place on November 5. This significant step towards decentralizing governance will allow the people to have a direct say in their local leadership, marking a new era of democratic governance at the local level.
A total of 249 candidates will be competing for 45 akim positions, with more than half being self-nominated. The competition for these local leadership positions is intense, with an average of 5.53 applicants vying for each akim position. Some areas experience particularly high competition, with nine candidates contending for a single slot, while others see as few as three candidates.
What is noteworthy is that nearly 64% of the candidates are self-nominated, reflecting a desire for grassroots representation in local governance. The candidates come from diverse backgrounds, spanning a wide age range. The average age of the candidates is 47 years old, with nearly 70% falling between the ages of 35 and 50. The oldest candidate, at 62 years old, is running for akim in the Kyzylkoga district of the Atyrau Region, while the youngest candidate, a 27-year-old, is competing in the Taskala district of the West Kazakhstan Region.
Out of the 249 candidates, 236 are men, while 13 are women. Most of the applicants, approximately 63%, are currently employed in various civil service roles, and around 15% come from commercial organizations. Additionally, roughly 10% of the candidates are employed in budgetary organizations, although they are not classified as civil servants. A small percentage, about 7%, are temporarily without employment.
In terms of educational backgrounds, over 21% of candidates have a background in economics, close to 20% are trained lawyers, 15% are educators, 13.6% are engineers, and every tenth candidate boasts an education in agriculture.
The nomination and election process allow Kazakh citizens over the age of 25, who meet the qualifications required for specific political government positions, to run for akim. Candidates can secure nominations through a political party’s endorsement, by self-nomination (provided they obtain support from at least 1% of eligible voters in their constituency), or by the region’s governor if no candidates are nominated or only one emerges by the deadline.
To ensure transparency and credibility, citizens from political parties, accredited public associations, and commercial organizations can serve as observers during the elections. Public associations with the appropriate accreditation listed on the CEC’s website are eligible to send their representatives to polling stations.
The akim elections will take place in three cities and 42 districts spanning 17 regions of Kazakhstan. The elected akims will serve four-year terms, representing a new era of decentralized and democratic governance at the local level.
This move to hold direct elections for akims follows President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s announcement during a state-of-the-nation address on September 1. The decision to empower citizens to choose their district and city akims marks a significant step towards a more participatory and representative form of governance in the country.
