Kazakhstan legislative election, 2004

A general election was held on September 19, 2004 in Kazakhstan to elect a new government to the Majilis, the legislature of the Parliament of Kazakhstan. 77 seats are at stake. 67 are directly elected by the Kazakh people and the remaining 10 are elected by the elected political party.

Parties:

• Fatherland Republican Party
  • Party leader: Amangeldi Yermegiyaev
  • Seats in last legislature: 23

• All-Together Republican Party
  • Party leader: Dariga Nazarbayeva
  • Seats in last legislature: 0

• Agrarian-Industrial Union (coalition of Civic Party of Kazakhstan and Agrarian Party of Kazakhstan)
  • Party leaders: Azat Peryashev, Romin Madinov
  • Seats in last legislature: 16 (Civic Party-13, Agrarian Party-3)

• Opposition People’s Union of Communists and Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (coalition)
  • Party leaders: Serikbolsyn Abdildin, Ghalymzhan Zhaqiyanov
  • Seats in last legislature: 3 (Communist Party-3, Democratic Choice-0)

• Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan
  • Party leader: Vladislav Kosarev
  • Seats in last legislature: 0

• Bright Path Democratic Party of Kazakhstan
  • Party leader: Alikhan Baimenov
  • Seats in last legislature: 0

• Democratic Party of Kazakhstan
  • Party leader: Maksut Narikbayev
  • Seats in last legislature: 0

• Ayil Social-Democratic Party of Kazakhstan
  • Party leader: Gani Kaliev
  • Seats in last legislature: 0

• Party of Patriots of Kazakhstan
  • Party leader: Gani Kasymov
  • Seats in last legislature: 0

• Rukhaniyat
  • Party leader: Altynshash Zhaganova
  • Seats in last legislature: 0

Election issues:

• Media bias is an issue with election watchdogs. The parties, Fatherland Party and All-Together Republican Party, who are pro-president of Kazakhstan are being allowed much more air-time on television. Dariga Nazarbayeva is the daughter of the current President Nazarbayev.

• Electronic voting will be used for the first time by 15% of voters. The Sailau system will be used. It is based on technology developed in Belarus.

Previous election:

• The last elections were held on October 10 and October 24, 1999

External link:

• Media bias mars Kazakhstan's election campaign
• CNN.com Election Watch

Related link:

• Politics of Kazakhstan