Kazakhstan lowers parliament election threshold from 7 to 5%

AKIPRESS.COM - President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed into law the amendments to the elections law that will enable reducing the threshold for parties' to win parliament seats from 7% to 5%. Threshold for political parties to gain seats in Majilis (lower house of parliament) was reduced from 7% to 5% of the number of voters who took part in the vote. The amendments also introduce "against all" option in the ballot papers of all levels.
In addition, changes introduce direct elections of heads of administrations (akims) of cities, villages, towns and rural districts. Candidates are now allowed to self-nominate or become a nominee of a political party. Previously heads of administrations were elected through indirect vote by electors - deputies of local representative bodies.
Elections to the Majilis were held on January 10, 2021. The ruling Nur Otan party gained 71.09% of votes taking 76 of 98 seats.
Two other parties, the People's Party of Kazakhstan and the Democratic Party of Kazakhstan "Ak Zhol", won 10 and 12 seats, respectively.
The lower house of the parliament has 107 seats, 98 of which are directly elected by secret ballot by party lists. The remaining 9 MPs were elected on January 11 by the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, which administers national policies on inter-ethnic relations.