2016 Kazakh legislative election


Legislative elections were held in Kazakhstan on 20 March 2016. The date was set by president Nursultan Nazarbayev on 20 January 2016, when he dissolved the Mazhilis after it had requested dissolution on 13 January, with the reason cited being the economic crisis caused by low oil prices. Normally, the term of the Mazhilis would have expired in Autumn 2016.

Background

On 13 January 2016, members of the Mazhilis voted unanimously to request President Nursultan Nazarbayev dissolve parliament. The reason was due to Nazarbayev's warning about a "real crisis" caused by low oil prices. One week later, the Nazarbayev set 20 March as the date for the snap elections, which would be held concurrently with elections to maslihats.

Electoral system

The 98 directly-elected members of the Mazhilis were elected from a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation with a 7% electoral threshold. Seats were allocated using the largest remainder method. If parties had an equal largest remainder, the party that was registered first was awarded the seat. If only one party crossed the threshold, the party with the second highest number of votes was to be awarded at least two seats. A further nine seats were elected by the Assembly of People, a body selected by the President.

Conduct

Observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe announced in their joint press release that the elections had been "efficiently organised with some progress noted, but they indicated that Kazakhstan still has a considerable way to go in meeting its OSCE commitments for democratic elections". The statement added: "The legal framework restricts fundamental civil and political rights, and comprehensive reform is required."

Results


The nine nominees were Sauytbek Abdrahmov, Vladimir Bozhko, Natalya Zhumadildayeva, Roman Kim, Narine Mikaelyan, Ahmet Muradov, Shaimardan Nurumov, Yury Tymochenko and Shakir Khakhazov.

By region

[Akmola Region]

[Aktobe Region]

[Almaty Region]

[Atyrau Region]

[East Kazakhstan Region]

[Jambyl Region]

[West Kazakhstan Region]

[Karaganda Region]

[Kostanay Region]

[Kyzylorda Region]

[Mangystau Region]

[Pavlodar Region]

[North Kazakhstan Region]

[South Kazakhstan Region]

City of [Astana]

City of [Almaty]