The Central Election Commission (CEC) has explained why it held a meeting on 26 October without prior notification of journalists. The commission stated that it decided not to postpone the approval of candidates' campaign expenditure so that the media would have time to publish the terms for placing materials before the start of the campaign.
WHY THE MEETING WAS HELD ON A DAY OFF
According to BES.media, CEC member Lyazzat Suyindik reported that the meeting took place on a public holiday marking Republic Day. According to her, the commission needed to approve in a timely manner the resolution on candidates' campaign expenditure covered from the republican budget.
Suyindik explained that this decision also took into account the interests of the media: editorial offices needed to publish in advance the rates and terms for placing campaign materials.
By law, this had to be done no later than five days before the start of campaigning — by 27 October. The election campaign began on 1 November.
WHAT THE MEDIA WERE SUPPOSED TO PUBLISH
Media outlets planning to place campaign materials were required to state the rates and terms of publication on their websites, as well as on the websites of the relevant territorial election commissions.
The terms of placement depend on the level of the elections: district, city or regional maslikhats. Thus, the timely approval of expenditure allowed editorial offices to determine in advance the terms of working with candidates.
WHAT THE CEC SAID ABOUT TRANSPARENCY
Lyazzat Suyindik disagreed with the suggestion that holding the meeting without prior notification of journalists violates the principle of openness in the commission's work.
According to her, CEC meetings are held openly, accompanied by online broadcasts on YouTube, and announcements are published in advance. She also stated that the commission accredits all media representatives, and its members answer journalists' questions at meetings.
CONTEXT
The CEC had previously reported that 35.8 billion tenge had been allocated for holding the snap elections of maslikhat deputies scheduled for 29 November 2026. The budget was agreed with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of National Economy.
The elections will involve electing 3,447 deputies to 228 maslikhats. Of these, 334 mandates will be distributed by party lists, and another 3,113 — in single-mandate districts.
The snap elections of maslikhat deputies at all levels will take place on 29 November 2026. The election results must be announced no later than 3 December 2026.
