Who can become a maslikhat deputy and how much it costs to participate in elections
Tengrinews.kz — The Central Election Commission has outlined the requirements for candidates running for maslikhat (local representative body) deputy positions. CEC member Assel Zhanabilova detailed the eligibility criteria and the required election fee during a commission meeting.
Who is eligible to become a maslikhat deputy
Assel Zhanabilova noted that any citizen of Kazakhstan who has reached the age of 20 is eligible to run for a maslikhat seat. However, an individual may only serve as a deputy in one maslikhat at a time.
According to Zhanabilova, the law also stipulates certain restrictions. Citizens who have been declared legally incompetent by a court, those with an active or unspent criminal record, and individuals found guilty by a court of committing corruption crimes or offenses are ineligible to run.
Election participation fees
The CEC also clarified the procedure for paying the election deposit. Assel Zhanabilova stated that the fee is set at five times the minimum wage — 425,000 tenge.
This amount must be paid by both political parties for each party list and by independent candidates. The fee is transferred to the account of the local executive body.
Discounted rates are available for political parties based on their performance in previous elections:
Parties that received 5% or more of the vote are exempt from the fee;
Parties that received between 3% and 5% pay 50% of the fee (212,500 tenge);
Parties that received between 1% and 3% pay 70% of the fee (297,500 tenge).
When election fees are refunded
Zhanabilova explained that a political party is entitled to a refund if it secures at least 5% of the total vote in the election. A refund is also issued in the event of the death of the sole candidate on a party list.
"In all other cases, the paid fee is non-refundable and will be transferred to the national budget," Assel Zhanabilova stated.
Maslikhat elections set for November 29
The Central Election Commission previously scheduled snap elections for maslikhat deputies at all levels for November 29, 2026. This was announced by CEC Deputy Chairman Mukhtar Yerman.
A total of 3,447 deputies will be elected across 228 maslikhats, including 20 regional, 38 city, and 170 district-level bodies.
On October 12, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed an executive order announced the early dissolution of maslikhats at all levels. On September 24, the Head of State first announced the snap elections during the first session of the Khalyk Kenesi.