Preparations are continuing in Shymkent for the Kurultai elections scheduled for August 23, 2026. Particular attention is being paid to creating an accessible environment so that every voter can exercise their right to vote without barriers, regardless of their health condition.
The preparations were demonstrated at polling station No. 337, located at Ziyatker Turan School in the Karatau district. A total of 1,743 voters are registered at the polling station. The precinct election commission is headed by Gulziya Karakulova and includes nine other members.
The polling station has been equipped with the necessary facilities for people with disabilities and visual impairments. A help-call button has been installed at the entrance, along with a ramp and tactile pathways. Four voting booths are available inside the polling room, one of which is specially designed for voters with special needs.
The dedicated booth is equipped with a computer and headphones for listening to audio information, as well as Braille templates to assist visually impaired voters.
According to Gulziya Karakulova, Chair of Precinct Election Commission No. 337, citizens who are unable to come to the polling station independently on election day will still be able to exercise their right to vote. They can submit an application in advance and vote at home.
The accessibility of the polling station was also tested in practice. Organizers invited a visually impaired resident and arranged transportation to the polling station using an accessible taxi. The entire route was assessed, from entering the building premises to reaching the designated voting booth.
The test was attended by 30-year-old Shymkent resident Aslan Asylbekov. He said that he is able to read the ballot and vote independently.
“I am a person with a visual impairment. I can see the ballot and vote independently. However, it is important that the voting rights of people with Group I disabilities who have completely lost their sight are also fully protected. They should have the opportunity to listen to the necessary information and make their own choice independently,” Aslan Asylbekov said.
The measures taken at the polling station are aimed at ensuring accessible voting and equal participation of citizens in the electoral process.