Local Elections Overshadowed by National Polls

Campaigning for the August 18 local and parliamentary elections has begun in Kazakstan, but NBCentralAsia observers say voters will be confused by having to take part in two different polls on the same day, and less attention will be paid to the local elections.



Candidates for the maslikhats or local councils began campaigning on July 24 and will continue until August 16, in tandem with those seeking election to the lower house of parliament or Majilis.



The maslikhat ballot had previously been scheduled to take place later in the autumn, but when President Nursultan Nazarbaev dissolved parliament on June 18, the date was brought forward to coincide with the Majilis election in order to cut costs.



The local elections are to regional, district and town councils.



Officials from the Central Electoral Committee say they are convinced the constitutional amendments adopted in May, which expand the powers of parliament and maslikhats, will encourage active campaigning by candidates and lead to a high turnout.



Under the constitutional amendments adopted on May 22, regional and city maslikhats now have the right of refusal when the president nominates an akim – the post of provincial governor or mayor. The votes of no confidence needed to oust a sitting akim has been reduced from two thirds to one fifth of maslikhat members, who will now serve a five-year term instead of the previous four.



NBCentralAsia observers warn that holding local and national elections at the same time could confuse voters.



“The torrent of promises and pledges that voters will hear during the election battle will grow exponentially. And the list of candidates has grown longer – most of them are unknowns,” said Daur Dosybiev, a media-watcher.



Dosybiev predicts that turnout will be much lower than expected because the elections will coincide with the holiday period in Kazakstan. The fact that August 18 falls on a weekend day could also deter some people. “As autumn draws close, some pensioners, a group who are the most active of voters, will prefer to spend a Saturday at their summer cottages,” said Dosybiev.



Political scientist Oleg Sidorov is also concerned that the local elections will be overshadowed by the national poll.



“The main focus is going to be on the Majilis candidates. Holding simultaneous elections at different levels will definitely create additional difficulties for voters and make for confusion about the lists of candidates.”



(News Briefing Central Asia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)