Kazakhstan CEC sets 10,423 polling stations for Aug 23 Kurultai election
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Kazakhstan's Central Election Commission announced 10,423 polling stations will operate for the Aug 23 Kurultai elections, including 79 abroad in 61 countries. Five polling stations will open in Russia, with voting from 7:00 local time and voters required to show a passport or national ID. Russian CEC chair Ella Pamfilova separately said Russians who left the country should be barred from voting, though no law has been passed.
Key Facts
- Kazakhstan will operate 10,423 polling stations for the Aug 23 Kurultai elections, including 79 at diplomatic missions in 61 countries.
- Five polling stations will open in Russia, with voting from 7:00 local time, and voters must present a passport or national ID.
- The Central Election Commission will provide Braille stencils at every polling station so citizens with disabilities can vote independently.
- A total of 121 observers from 18 foreign states and 5 international organizations have been accredited, including 8 from the CIS mission and 7 from the OSCE ODIHR.
- Russian Central Election Commission chair Ella Pamfilova said Russians who left the country should be deprived of voting rights, though no legislation has been passed.
Polling Station Network
CEC member Azamat Aimanakumov said 10,423 polling stations will operate nationwide for the Aug 23 Kurultai elections, including 79 abroad at diplomatic missions in 61 countries. Main voting hours are 7:00 to 20:00, but stations in military units, continuous production facilities, watch settlements, rest homes, sanatoriums and hospitals may close early if all registered voters have cast ballots. Citizens with valid reasons who cannot vote in person will have access to home voting, the CEC said. Five polling stations will open in Russia, including at the Kazakh embassy in Moscow, where voters must present a national passport or identity card.
Accessibility Measures
The CEC will provide Braille stencils at every polling station so citizens with disabilities can mark ballots independently, CEC member Lazzat Suyundik said. The stencil is printed in two languages and double-sided, with the ballot title on the front and party names plus an “against all” line on the back. Special corners with computers featuring monitors of at least 54 centimeters diagonal will also be set up at each polling station. Suyundik said the stencil design followed requirements and practical recommendations from specialists and Braille users.
Observers and Russian Vote Debate
A total of 138 parliamentarians from 41 countries are among international observers, and overall observers represent 42 foreign states and 13 international organizations, CEC secretary Mukhtar Erman said. The Foreign Ministry submitted 121 observer candidates from 18 foreign states and 5 international organizations, including 8 from the CIS mission, 7 from the OSCE ODIHR and 6 from the SCO. Russian CEC chair Ella Pamfilova said Russians who left the country should be deprived of voting rights, calling it her personal position. She said law enforcement agencies could identify broader categories of people to be deprived of the right to determine Russia’s fate, but no legislation has been passed. Russia’s foreign agent register has existed since 2012 and imposes reporting and labeling requirements on NGOs, media and individuals.
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Kazakhstan CEC sets 10,423 polling stations for Aug 23 Kurultai election
