As part of Kazakhstan’s ongoing efforts to expand direct local elections, we take a closer look at recent developments in the Turkistan Region. On January 19, 2025 residents of the Akbulak rural district in the Sairam district went to the polls to elect their new local leader — the Akim.
Election Results
Voter turnout was moderate. Out of 3 703 eligible voters, 1 608 people cast their ballots.
There were four candidates, all of whom ran as independents.
The winning candidate — head of a housing and utilities sector in the Sairam district administration — received 929 votes. The runner-up, who is currently unemployed, got 601 votes. Additionally, 8 voters chose the “Against all” option.
As a result, the new Akim of Akbulak is a 1985-born civil servant who lives in the village and works in local government.
Candidate Backgrounds
The candidates came from various professional backgrounds:
• Two worked in government — specifically in local administration and housing services.
• One was a private business owner.
• One was unemployed and had no prior experience in public service.
Voters clearly favored the candidate with government experience, suggesting a public preference for someone familiar with local administration and public affairs.
Gender Representation
All four candidates were men. This highlights the continued lack of women’s representation in local politics. While other regions of Kazakhstan have seen women elected as Akims, this election reflects the need to further support women’s participation in leadership roles at the local level.
Age of Candidates
The average age of the candidates was 39. The youngest was 35, and the oldest was 44. These numbers show that candidates were from a working-age group with enough experience to take on leadership responsibilities.
Why This Election Matters
Direct elections of village and rural district Akims are an important step in strengthening local democracy in Kazakhstan. The Akbulak election shows that citizens are willing to participate and take their civic duties seriously.
The strong competition among candidates also signals growing public interest in how local areas are governed. The low number of “Against all” votes suggests that most people made their choices thoughtfully.
Now, all eyes will be on the new Akim’s first steps — his plans, priorities, and how he will work to improve life in the community. Expectations are high, and effective leadership will be key to the development of Akbulak.
Diana Saduaqasova, independent expert, specifically for the portal www.economykz.org
