Elections of Deputies of the Mazhilis (Lower House of Parliament) of the Republic of Kazakhstan will be held on January 10, 2021. The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Turkmenistan Yerkebulan Sapiyev reported about it at the briefing.
The purpose of the meeting, which took place in the Yildiz Hotel in Ashgabat, was to inform the citizens of Kazakhstan temporarily residing and staying in Turkmenistan that they can vote at the polling station # 266 in the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
According to the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan, international observers for the parliamentary elections will be 276 people representing 4 international organizations: the CIS (142 observers), the SCO (14), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (9), the mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (2) and 14 foreign states.
“More than 10 thousand polling stations will be opened in 14 regions and 3 cities of republican significance, where citizens of our republic will be able to vote. The right to vote will also be available to compatriots abroad. 66 polling stations in 51 countries will be opened for them,” said Yerkenbulan Sapiyev.
Also during the meeting, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Turkmenistan noted that Kazakhstan is currently a major player in the international political arena, which is due to its favorable geographical position on the border of Europe and Asia.
“The parliamentary elections are the main event of the internal political life of the Republic at the beginning of next year, assured the Ambassador.The Senate and the Mazhilis are two permanent Chambers of the Parliament of Kazakhstan.
The Mazhilis consists of 107 deputies: 98 of them are elected according to the proportional electoral system on party lists, 9 independent non-party deputies by the Assembly of people of Kazakhstan.
Persons who have reached the age of 25 can be a Deputy of the Mazhilis.
During the speech, the diplomat also noted the political reforms that include women and young people under the age of 29 in the lists of candidates to strengthen their role in the decision-making process in the country.
Representatives of five political parties will participate in the Majilis elections. The upcoming elections will once again demonstrate Kazakhstan’s strong commitment to consistent democratization and modernization of political institutions, which will ensure the renewal of the country’s political system.
Diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan were also discussed at the meeting.The basis of the policy implemented by both countries is the principle of building relations on the world stage, formed on deep historical roots.
It was noted the importance of continuing traditional humanitarian contacts in the field of education, science and applied research, as well as culture and creative exchanges.
The polling station at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Turkmenistan will open on January 10, 2021 at 7:00 and will work until 20:00 local time.