AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL LAW "ON ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN»
On May 24, 2021, the Head of State K.-Zh.K. Tokayev signed the Constitutional Law "On Amendments and Additions to the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan" and the Law "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Elections".
The following main changes have been made:
The law reduced the electoral barrier for political parties from 7 to 5 percent for elections to the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Maslikhats of all levels. Reducing the barrier will help to stabilize the party system, the emergence of new political parties and inter-electoral competition.
The "Against all"column is entered in the ballots.
The amendments define direct elections of mayors of cities of district significance, villages, settlements, and rural districts. Citizens of Kazakhstan who are at least 25 years old and meet the qualification requirements in accordance with the legislation on civil service can be elected as akims. The nomination of candidates for akims is provided for both by political parties and by the self-nomination of citizens or by the akim of the district in situations defined by law. The mayor is elected for 4 years.