President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced his intention to prematurely terminate the powers of maslikhats at all levels. Following consultations with the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Kurultai, the Head of State intends to sign a corresponding decree, after which the Central Election Commission (CEC) will set the date for new elections.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made a statement at the first session of the Qazaqstan Halq Keñesi. The President linked the elections to the maslikhats to the ongoing transformation of the system of state governance.
"A large-scale transformation of the entire system of state governance is taking place in the country in accordance with the demands of the times. We need to continue this work. The final stage of the reforms will be elections to maslikhats at all levels," Tokayev said.
At the same time, sitting deputies retain their powers until they are terminated on the grounds provided for by the Constitution and laws.
WHY THE QUESTION OF THE COMPOSITION OF MASLIKHATS AROSE
According to the President, the overwhelming majority of maslikhat deputies were elected from the Amanat party. The party is currently not carrying out independent activity following its merger with the "Ädilet" party.
Tokayev noted that after the completion of legal procedures, the question of the legitimacy of a significant part of the deputy corps would arise.
The President separately emphasised the importance of local representative bodies. According to him, maslikhats must fully represent the interests of citizens at the local level, approve budgets and monitor the development of the regions.
"In a word, they must actively work to ensure well-being at the local level. It is necessary for representative bodies to carry out their activities in accordance with the law," the President said.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER THE CONSULTATIONS
The next stage will be consultations between the President and the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Kurultai on the premature termination of the powers of maslikhats at all levels, following which a corresponding decree will be signed.
After the decree is signed, the CEC will have to determine the date of the upcoming elections.
HOW TOKAYEV EXPLAINED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ELECTIONS
The President stated that the premature termination of powers and the subsequent elections should open the way to a renewal of the deputy corps.
He also expressed confidence that the participants in the process would contribute to holding the elections "at a high and quality level".
CONTEXT
On 23 August 2026, Kazakhstan held its first elections of deputies to the Kurultai. Following the vote, representatives of five political parties entered the new unicameral Parliament, distributing 145 deputy mandates.
The majority — 110 out of 145 mandates — went to the "Ädilet" party.