Kazakhstan starts introduction of candidates for senators

Kazakhstan will start the introduction of candidates for senators
today. The process will continue until July 19. The Central Electoral
Commission said that elections to the senate will be held on August
19, registration will last until July 29, RIA Novosti reports.

Campaigning will start on July 30 and end on August 17, 2011, at
24:00. Senators elected on August 19, 2005, will conclude their terms
of office on November 30, 2011.

15 senators are nominated by the president, 32 - by popular vote.
Candidate introduction is proposed by maslikhats (local representative
bodies) or independently. Citizens take part in electing the deputies.
A deputy needs 10% of the vote in all maslikhats of his region but no
more than 25% of the vote in an individual maslikhat.

Deputies need to pay a deposit of $1,600. The sum will be returned if
the candidate gains more than 5% of the votes cast.

Every candidate may establish an electoral fund. The fund may not
exceed $75,200. Kazakhstan has provided about $100,000 for the
election process.