Improving the tools for electing akims of towns, villages and rural districts

Abstract

The relevance of the research topic is related to the implementation of the reform of state local government
and self-government in the Republic of Kazakhstan since 2021. Within the framework of the “Kazakhstan in the new reality: time for action” proclaimed in 2020 in the Address of the Head of State to the people of Kazakhstan dated September 1, 2020, the holding of local-level elections of akims has become one of the objectives of this reform. And in 2021, changes were made to the legislation on elections and on local government and self-government, which determined the possibility of electing akims. On July 25, 2021, the first such elections were held, although their winners were mostly incumbent akims, government officials and representatives of the ruling party, rather than self-nominated candidates. The purpose of the study was to determine the essence, problems and prospects for the election of akims of towns, villages and rural districts
in Kazakhstan, taking into account the reform of local government and self-government in recent years. The
novelty of the study is due to the fact that the main parameters, results, problems and prospects for the development of the system of elections of local level akims in the Republic of Kazakhstan as part of the
reform of local government and self-government have been identified. Conclusions on the study: at present,
the results of the elections of akims of settlements, villages, rural districts (2021-2022) indicate the needs of
the population in control over local authorities, updating the executive branch and increasing its efficiency. At
the same time, at the level of laws, it is required to improve the model for electing akims of this level.