“We are not a small Switzerland or Japan“: Kazakh MP on parliamentary elections

Tengrinews.kz – Majilis deputy Edil Zhanbyrshin voiced his position on how an elected unicameral Parliament should function in Kazakhstan.

According to him, deputies should not be elected solely through party lists, as independent candidates are also needed to represent regions across the country.

“I believe we should not elect Parliament members only through a proportional system – there must also be a majoritarian system. Regional representatives are necessary because Kazakhstan is a vast country with diverse climates, social conditions, and economic development. We are not a small Switzerland, not Liechtenstein, not even Finland or Japan. I think 50 percent, or at the very least 30 percent of Parliament should be formed through a majoritarian system. Out of 12 million voters, only 2–3 million belong to parties. That leaves 9–10 million independents. Who will represent them? A party of non-partisans is not serious,” Zhanbyrshin said during the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana.

He stressed that electing only through proportional representation would be “undemocratic,” and that non-partisan Kazakh citizens or self-nominated candidates should also have the opportunity to serve in Parliament.

Zhanbyrshin, who himself was elected from Mangystau Region as an independent under the majoritarian system, added that such deputies are directly accountable to voters rather than party leadership:

“When you are elected as a self-nominee, you have more freedom to express opinions and act independently. At least a few people must represent the regions.”

Currently, Kazakhstan uses a mixed system to elect the Majilis: 69 out of 98 seats are filled through party lists, while 29 are contested in single-mandate districts.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev earlier proposed parliamentary reform, suggesting that in 2027 Kazakhstan could hold a nationwide referendum on transitioning to a unicameral Parliament, which would involve abolishing the Senate.