Kazakhstan enters silence period ahead of Qurultay elections
Kazakhstan has entered the official silence period ahead of elections to the country’s new unicameral Qurultay, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The pre-election campaign ended at midnight, and August 22 is the designated “day of silence”. Under Article 32 of Kazakhstan’s election law, campaigning is prohibited on August 22, the day before the election, and on August 23, the day of the election.
The restrictions prohibit the publication of campaign materials in the media and online, including on social media. Rallies, pickets and meetings with voters are also prohibited, as is the distribution of campaign videos, newspapers, leaflets and other campaign materials.
Campaign materials displayed before the start of the silence period do not have to be removed.
On election day, voters will also be prohibited from publishing photographs or videos of completed ballots.
Fines for violating the silence period
Administrative penalties apply to those who conduct election campaigning during the prohibited period.
Under Article 102 of Kazakhstan’s Code of Administrative Offenses, fines range from 15 to 35 monthly calculation indices (MCI), depending on the type of offender. They amount to:
- 15 MCI, or 64,875 tenge, for individuals;
- 20 MCI, or 86,500 tenge, for small businesses and non-profit organizations;
- 25 MCI, or 108,125 tenge, for medium-sized businesses;
- 35 MCI, or 151,375 tenge, for large businesses.
Restrictions on election polls
The publication of election-related opinion polls and forecasts is also restricted. During the five days before voting and on election day, media outlets and online platforms may not publish poll results, election forecasts or other election-related studies.
Conducting opinion polls directly at polling stations is also prohibited on election day.
Violations of the rules governing election-related polls and their publication are subject to fines of 10 MCI (43,250 tenge) for individuals and 25 MCI (108,125 tenge) for legal entities under Article 120 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Voting in the Qurultay elections will take place at 10,423 polling stations, including 79 stations at Kazakhstan’s representations in 61 foreign countries.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that 777 foreign observers would monitor the elections, representing 42 countries and 13 international organizations, including 138 members of parliament from 41 countries.
