Kazakhstan Senate elections are held today

Elections of Kazakhstan Senate deputies are taking place today, August 19, KazTAG reports. Voting of Maslikhat (local parliaments) deputies of different level started at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Astana time in 16 regions of the country (14 oblast centers, plus Almaty and Astana cities). Voting will involve 3,228 out of 3,335 voters. 39 registered candidates compete for 16 seats in the Senate. Elections are held on alternative basis in all the regions. Candidates mainly represent Nur Otan party (25), Ak Zhol and Auyl parties nominated one candidate each. Eight candidates are not members of any parties and four candidates did not state their membership in parties. International and Kazakhstan observers are present at the voting stations. 68 international observers have been accredited for elections. There are 60 observers from the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) mission and 8 representatives of the CIS Inter-Parliament Assembly. 11 foreign journalists arrived to cover the elections. The total of 181 representatives of foreign media operating at the territory of Kazakhstan have been accredited by Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There are 47 seats in the upper chamber of the Parliament. 15 Senators are appointed by the President, 32 are elected by Maslikhats (2 persons from each oblast, Almaty and Astana). Senate deputies are elected for six years. Half of senators (16 people) are re-elected every three years. The last time the Senate elections were held in 2008.