Early Majilis elections may take place mid-January: Advisor to the President

Early Majilis (lower chamber) elections are likely to take place January 15, Ermukhamet Ertysbayev, Advisor to the President, announced today, Novosti Kazakhstan reports. November 10 a group of Majilismen requested President Nazarbayev to dissolve the Majilis and call early elections. “It’s already mid-November. January 15 is a Sunday. Elections are to take place mid-January”, Mr. Ertysbayev said. He expressed confidence that President will support the initiative of the Majilis. “I am confident in that. As his advisor I will be advising President to support the initiative”, Mr. Ertysbayev said. “President is opposed to early elections (…) However, the Majilis deputies are taking the right position: Kazakhstan is entering its third decade since independence and we can enter the new stage with a new Parliament and a new Government”, he said. In line with the law on the Parliament, President can dissolve the Majilis upon consultations with the deputies and the PM. According to the Constitution, early Parliament elections shall be called at least 2 months following the date of dissolution of the lower chamber.