Kurultai elections: General Prosecutor’s Office warns Kazakhstanis of liability

Kazakhstan's General Prosecutor's Office has issued a stern warning to citizens regarding potential liability for breaching election campaign regulations. The Central Election Commission has approved a calendar outlining key measures for the upcoming elections.

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Such campaigning includes providing voters with goods, services or securities free of charge or on preferential terms, holding lotteries or charity events, paying money or promising to provide it.

Key dates include the nomination and registration of party lists from July 2 to July 23. Election campaigning is slated to begin at 6:01 p.m. on July 23 and will continue until midnight on August 22. The supervisory body emphasized that any form of election campaigning is strictly forbidden until the deadline for registering party lists has passed. Violating this rule carries liability under Article 102 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

The office also detailed what constitutes "improper election campaigning." This includes offering voters free goods, services, or securities, holding lotteries or charity events, or promising financial incentives. Such actions can result in administrative liability, and if bribery is suspected, criminal charges may apply. Furthermore, candidates and political parties are prohibited from organizing charity events after elections are called, with the exception of entertainment and sports events. Violations can lead to the cancellation of candidate or party list registrations.

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It is also important to note that from the moment elections are called, candidates, political parties that have nominated party lists, as well as any individuals and legal entities acting on their behalf or in their support, are prohibited from holding charity events, except for the organization of entertainment and sports events.

Media outlets and online platform users are also cautioned against publishing campaign materials or information that knowingly discredits candidates or political parties. Spreading false information aimed at influencing election outcomes, or engaging in slander, can lead to administrative liability. Disseminating knowingly false information that endangers public order or harms citizens' rights may even incur criminal liability. The General Prosecutor's Office also highlighted specific procedures for conducting and publishing public opinion polls.

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Administrative liability is provided for the dissemination of knowingly false information about candidates or political parties, or for committing other actions that discredit their honor, dignity and business reputation, with the aim of influencing the outcome of the elections.