Direct elections of akims: New era of democracy in Kazakhstan

Tengrinews.kz - A new system for electing akims will be implemented in Kazakhstan starting next year. Akims of districts and cities of regional significance will be elected exclusively through direct elections. This was announced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his address to the People of Kazakhstan in September this year. The head of state called this a significant step in the transformation of the political system.
Tengrinews.kz correspondent spoke with deputies to understand the purpose of direct elections of akims and why they are being held now.
Effectiveness of power and accountability to the people
Mazhilis deputy Nikita Shatalov emphasized that elections at any level of government – whether for akims or deputies – are an important tool for increasing accountability.

"The main purpose of elections is to make the government accountable. Regular elections require candidates to fulfill their promises, which enhances the effectiveness of the system because otherwise, the candidate will not be elected," he noted.

Shatalov reminded that the quality of government management in any territory strongly depends on the local akim.

"The quality of governance depends on the akim of the territory: whether they attract investors, monitor corruption risks, and effectively work with contractors. Even if education or healthcare management is under the regional or central government, the akim still coordinates their activities," he said.

The deputy also noted that direct elections of akims have already led to positive changes at the rural level.

"We see that the body of rural akims has been significantly updated, meaning that people who did not work in the civil service, were in business, or held lower positions, have now come into office. They are motivated to prove themselves in some way to later build a political career, moving up to district levels or the level of cities of regional significance," emphasized the member of parliament.

Decentralization of power in Kazakhstan transfers authority to the regional level, opening up opportunities for akims. However, according to the deputy, it must be accompanied by the appropriate financial resources for effective implementation.

"When the center transfers authority to the regions, financial resources should follow as well. We meet with rural akims, and they complain about the lack of budgets and powers. It is very important to strengthen akims because they play a key role, especially in rural areas, where 40% of the population lives," emphasized Shatalov.

Transition to real democracy
Mazhilis deputy Bakytzhan Bazarbek called the direct elections of akims one of the best mechanisms for ensuring the direct participation of the people in the governance of the country.

"Direct elections of akims must be held. Because this is one of the best mechanisms to ensure direct participation of the people in governing the country. According to the Constitution, the source of power is the people," the member of parliament reminded.

According to the deputy, if the people elect the akims of the districts, the results for the country’s democracy will be "stunning."

"Because the people will already hold their akim accountable. The akim, unlike before, will not say in the media that he is subordinate to the regional akim. He will know that he is responsible to the people," emphasized Bazarbek.

In response to a question about the responsibility of akims, the parliamentarian emphasized that the conditions for controlling their activities have already been created in Kazakhstan.

"As part of the Administrative Procedural and Process-Related Code (APPC), we introduced a provision that allows the acts of local and central authorities to be appealed in court. This gives people the opportunity to challenge election results and express a vote of no confidence in the akim if the mechanism is developed," Bazarbek explained.

The deputy added that over the past decades, the country has gained experience that allows for a revision of approaches to democratic reforms.

"We are gradually moving towards democracy. Democracy cannot be built all at once; it develops evolutionarily, step by step (...) We need a democracy where the people truly participate in elections and choose the akim. The akim is accountable to the people – that’s the kind of democracy we need," he concluded.