Kazakhstan, Astana, March 31 / Trend, A. Maratov /
Parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan may be held already this year, Adviser to the Kazakh President Yermukhamet Yertysbayev believes.
"After the inauguration after the snap presidential elections, the parliament, which is represented by the Nur Otan party, should be determined. The parliamentary elections may be held this year," Yertysbayev told Trend.
The current convocation's authorities will expire in 2012, and no proposals have been put forward for snap parliamentary elections.
He said MPs have twice insisted on a referendum, but the president chose elections at the last moment.
Nazarbayev delivered a message to the Kazakh people on Feb. 28, in which he declared the necessity for broad political modernization and an expansion of parliament's functions.
Ertysbayev stressed that amending the law "On elections" was recently initiated by the president .
"That's why the Nur Otan party will be able to support the president's initiatives in reality. And I do not see any reason to wait for August 2012," Yertysbayev said.
He said parliamentary elections may be held within three-four months after the presidential elections.
"The parliamentary elections will be held this year, if the MP corps agrees by a majority of votes," he added.
The presidential campaign in Kazakhstan will end on April 1. The elections will be held on April 3. Four candidates passed registration at the Kazakh Central Election Commission and will continue to participating in the snap presidential elections scheduled for April 3. The candidates are Nursultan Nazarbayev, Communist Zhambyl Ahmetbekov, Leader of the Patriots Party, Senator Gani Kasimov and Tabiyat Ecological Union leader Mels Eleusizov.
Experts believe Nazarbayev will easily win the election. Nazarbayev, who has been in power for over 20 years, is supported by about 90 percent of the population.