Kazakhstan clarifies early presidential elections’ date
By Sara Rajabova
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced that early presidential elections will take place on April 26, in a move which has been perceived as sudden. Experts have said they expect the septuagenarian leader will be re-elected for another term in the energy-rich state.
The announcement follows a February 14 request by the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, a constitutional body, to hold elections just under two years before Nazarbayev's present term finishes in order tackling the difficult economic situation in the oil-dependent country.
RIA Novosti reported Nursultan Nazarbayev supported the initiative of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan by issuing a decree.
He ordered all government officials to take all necessary measures to speed up the electoral process.
Akims of regions, cities of Astana and Almaty are responsible to ensure the timely preparation and accuracy of the lists of citizens eligible to vote, to fully support the central, territorial and precinct election commissions in addressing issues of organization and holding early presidential elections.
The initiative to hold early presidential elections in Kazakhstan was voiced at a meeting of the Council of Kazakhstan’s Assembly of People on February 14. It was unanimously supported by its delegates.
Kazakhstan's last presidential elections took place in April 2011 and were too held ahead of schedule. Back then a debate took place on whether or not to extend the president's mandate to 2020.
During the last presidential elections, President Nursultan Nazarbayev gained a landslide victory with nearly 96 percent of the votes. Since then the president has enjoyed strong popular support.
President Nazarbayev's term ends in 2016.
Under the country’s constitution, the same person cannot be elected at the presidency more than twice consecutively. However, this restriction doesn’t apply to Kazakhstan’s first President, Nursultan Nazarbayev.
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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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