T. Discussion of the systems for local elections

The amount of the deposit provided by Article 99 for the candidates to city or aiyl councils does not seem reasonable. According to the law, the deposit shall be returned only to a candidate or political party for which no less than 15 per cent of those who took part in the elections voted. It is significantly higher than the 5 per cent threshold for presidential and parliamentary elections. Moreover, it should be made clear that the threshold is calculated based on the number of valid votes cast. The Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR recommend to lower the threshold for reimbursement of the candidate’s deposit and specify that the threshold is calculated based on the number of valid votes cast.