On March 19, 2023, early elections to the Mazhilis and maslikhats will be held in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

This event has not only a course-determining significance for the country, but also differs from similar previous ones by a number of innovations, which were especially emphasized by state adviser Yerlan Karin. Among them: election of candidates to the Majilis in single-member constituencies, the possibility of self-nomination, announcing elections six months in advance, lowering the threshold for parties from 7 to 5 percent, the presence of a 30 percent quota for women, youth and people with special needs, the absence of an APK quota, emergence in the ballots of “against all” option, work of the regional territorial election commissions on a professional basis, voting of voters on five ballots. These innovations will contribute to significant variability, greater involvement of citizens in socio-political life of the country and the democratization of society.

We note with great positiveness the existence of a quota for women, youth and people with special needs, which makes it possible to expand the representation of these population groups in the authorities and in the future will bring positive qualitative changes to the life of society and the country as a whole.

D.R. Shaidulina