Tengrinews.kz — The General Prosecutor’s Office has addressed Kazakhstanis ahead of the Kurultai elections scheduled for August 23. The supervisory body warned of liability for violations of the Law “On Elections,” citing the official website of the General Prosecutor’s Office.
The General Prosecutor’s Office recalled that the Central Election Commission had approved a calendar plan of key measures for preparing and holding these elections. According to the plan, the nomination and registration of party lists will take place from July 2 to July 23, while election campaigning will begin at 6:01 p.m. on July 23 and continue until 12:00 a.m. on August 22.
The supervisory body reminded that, under election legislation, any election campaigning is prohibited until the deadline for registering party lists has expired. Violation of this requirement entails liability under Article 102 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
Improper election campaigning is also prohibited.
“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,” the General Prosecutor’s Office explained.
Improper campaigning entails administrative liability, while if there are signs of a criminal offense involving bribery, criminal liability applies.
“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. Violation of these requirements by a candidate, a political party that has nominated a party list, or their authorized representatives entails the cancellation of the decision to register the candidate or party list,” the supervisory body warned.
Media outlets, as well as users of online platforms, are required to refrain from publishing campaign materials and other information that knowingly discredits the honor, dignity and business reputation of a candidate or political party.
“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. In addition, administrative punishment is also provided for slander, that is, the dissemination of knowingly false information that discredits the honor and dignity of another person or damages their reputation,” the General Prosecutor’s Office said.
Administrative liability applies in cases involving the publication and dissemination of false information or illegal content. The dissemination of knowingly false information that creates a danger of disrupting public order or causing substantial harm to the rights and legitimate interests of citizens or organizations already entails criminal liability.
Public opinion polls: what procedure has been established
The General Prosecutor’s Office separately drew attention to the procedure for conducting public opinion polls and publishing their results.
In particular, under the law, when publishing the results of public opinion polls related to elections, media outlets and online platforms must indicate the legal entity that conducted the poll, the persons who ordered and paid for it, the time when the poll was conducted, the method used to collect information, the exact wording of the question, the number of respondents and the margin of error.
Public opinion polls may be conducted by legal entities registered in accordance with the legislation of Kazakhstan, with at least five years of experience in conducting public opinion polls, provided that they have notified the Central Election Commission in writing in advance.
“The publication of the results of public opinion polls, election result forecasts, other election-related studies, and voting in support of candidates or political parties in the media and on online platforms is not allowed during the five days before voting day and on voting day. It is prohibited to conduct public opinion polls on election day inside voting premises or at polling stations. At the same time, individuals are not allowed to conduct or publish public opinion polls at all,” the General Prosecutor’s Office warned.
Failure to comply with these requirements entails administrative liability.
The General Prosecutor’s Office calls on all participants in the electoral process to strictly comply with current legislation and avoid unlawful actions.