On August 23, Kazakhstan will hold its first-ever elections for deputies of the Kurultai. While political parties continue their campaigning, voters have the opportunity to compare their platforms and positions, and experts are assessing potential voter turnout. At the same time, an election observation system is being put in place.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described the upcoming elections as one of the most significant events for the country. The elections were scheduled on July 1 by a Presidential Decree, with the Central Election Commission tasked with organizing their preparation and conduct.

Speaking before public figures, the President linked the upcoming campaign to sweeping political changes.

"We have held a nationwide referendum and adopted a new Constitution. Our citizens cast their votes for the new Fundamental Law. Kazakh wisdom says: 'Unity is the source of well-being.' The unity of the people is an unshakable foundation for the growth and prosperity of our state," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized.

According to the President, the current campaign is taking place amid the renewal of the political system.

"Soon, for the first time in Kazakhstan's history, elections to the Kurultai will be held, which will undoubtedly become a landmark event in the life of the country. The electoral campaign is currently in full swing. The parties are demonstrating high standards of political culture. We stand on the threshold of fateful events," the President noted.

One of the distinguishing features of the current campaign has been the active engagement of political parties directly with citizens. Meetings with residents and workforce collectives are being held in the regions, where issues of the economy, employment, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and territorial development are being discussed.

Another platform for comparing party positions has been televised debates, which featured representatives from seven political forces.

During the broadcast, an online viewer vote was conducted. According to preliminary results, the performances of the representatives of the Adilet party received 59.5% of the poll participants' votes. Auyl garnered 14.4%, and Respublica – 12.1%. They were followed by the People's Party of Kazakhstan – 4.2%, the OSDP – 3.7%, Ak Zhol – 3.4%, and Baitaq – 2.1%. Another 0.6% of participants chose the option "None of the above."

The organizers, however, clarified that these results do not constitute a party rating. The online poll merely reflects viewers' assessment of the debaters' performances – their responses, positions, and on-air activity.

As for citizens' interest in the electoral campaign, Aigul Sadvokasova, Director of the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science, and Religious Studies, presented data on turnout in previous nationwide elections.

According to her information, turnout stood at 77.5% in the 2019 presidential election, 63.3% in the 2021 parliamentary election, 69.44% in the 2022 presidential election, and approximately 54.14% in the 2023 parliamentary election.

According to various sociological studies, between 70.3% and 75.6% of respondents currently state their readiness to vote on August 23.

However, the expert suggests distinguishing between declared readiness and actual participation.

"There are reasons to expect that turnout in the upcoming elections may exceed the level seen in the 2023 parliamentary campaign. Today we observe more active party work, an intensive information campaign, and a high level of stated voter readiness. At the same time, 70–75% is still a declared willingness, and the final turnout will depend on whether voters' interest and engagement are sustained until election day," noted Aigul Sadvokasova.

In her assessment, citizen participation is influenced by several factors – accessibility of information, level of trust, place of residence, perceived ability to influence political processes, and the perceived competitiveness of the elections.

Of particular importance ahead of voting day is the work of observers.

For instance, in Astana, 23 non-governmental organizations have already been accredited as observers and have been issued credentials. Additionally, more than 650 international observers have been registered, and that number may grow.

Beisembay Zhumabekov, Chairman of the Territorial Election Commission of Astana, stated that observers from political parties and public organizations enjoy equal rights.

"There is no distinction whatsoever between observers from political parties and those from public associations. They are all fully equal," he emphasized.

At the same time, authorized representatives of political parties have an additional power. If they disagree with the vote count results, they may submit a written request to the commission chair for a recount of ballots – but only once.

"The only difference is that authorized representatives, unlike observers, represent political parties themselves. Therefore, under the law, authorized representatives have the right – once – to submit a written request to the commission chair for a recount if they are not satisfied with the vote count," explained Beisembay Zhumabekov.

However, being present at a polling station entails not only certain rights but also duties. Observers must comply with the established procedures and must not interfere with the work of the election commission. Violation of the rules carries a fine of 25 monthly calculation indices (MCI).

At the same time, as the speaker emphasized, the quality of election observation is becoming increasingly important. The mere presence of observers does not guarantee the absence of disputes, but it does provide additional public oversight of the voting procedure.

On August 23, 145 deputies of the Kurultai are to be elected for a five-year term. It is on that day that it will become clear whether the high level of interest in the current campaign – as recorded by parties and sociologists – translates into actual citizen participation in the elections.

By Linara SAKTAGANOVA
Astana