Central Election Commission reduces time to issue signature sheets

The Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan has reduced the time period for issuing signature sheets to presidential candidates by more than twice, namely from five to two days. This was announced at a briefing. In addition, the terms for verifying the authenticity of signatures in support of candidates have been reduced as well, that is, from 10 to five days. Each candidate is required to collect 118,000 signatures. At present, there are over 11 million citizens eligible to vote registered in the country.

“Thus, due to shortening of the time provided for our procedures, the candidates are given more time to collect signatures. In this regard, I urge the local electoral commissions to strictly follow the deadlines set by the Central Election Commission,” Nurlan Abdirov, Chairperson of the Kazakh Central Election Commission instructed.

In addition, the Central Election Commission approved the voting rules for persons with disabilities. As members of the Commission noted, local executive bodies should provide handrails, ramps, and other necessary devices at the polling stations. If possible, voting booths should be located on the ground floors or, if they are on the upper floors, lifting devices must be prepared to allow for movement to other floors.