The 2024 Kabardino-Balkarian parliamentary election is the scheduled election for the legislative body of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, a federal subject of the Russian Federation. The parliament, officially called the Parliament of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (also known as the People's Khural), comprises 70 deputies who are elected for five‑year terms.
Election date and legal framework
The election is constitutionally mandated to be held in 2024, with the most commonly cited date being 8 September 2024, coinciding with the nationwide “single voting day” for regional legislatures in Russia. The election is conducted under the mixed electoral system used in the republic: 35 deputies are elected in single‑member constituencies by plurality voting, and the remaining 35 are elected from party‑list proportional representation with a 5 % electoral threshold.
Electoral system
- Single‑member constituencies (SMCs): Voters cast a ballot for an individual candidate; the candidate with the most votes wins the seat.
- Party‑list proportional representation: Voters cast a separate ballot for a party. Seats are allocated to parties that surpass the 5 % threshold, using the Hare‑Niemeyer method.
Major parties and political context
The political landscape in Kabardino‑Balkaria is dominated by United Russia, the ruling party at the federal level. Other parties that typically contest the election include the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF), the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), A Just Russia — For Truth (SR‑ZP), and, occasionally, regional or local movements. United Russia has historically held a majority in the republic’s parliament.
Previous election
The preceding parliamentary election took place in 2019, in which United Russia secured a decisive majority, obtaining 50 of the 70 seats. The 2024 election is expected to be the first contest of the new five‑year legislative cycle.
Current status (as of mid‑2024)
- The Central Election Commission of the Kabardino‑Balkarian Republic has confirmed the election timetable and the list of registered parties.
- Candidate registration for both SMCs and party lists was open during the spring of 2024, with the final list of candidates published in June 2024.
- No official results have been released, as voting is scheduled for September 2024. Consequently, detailed information on voter turnout, seat distribution, and post‑election coalition formation remains unavailable.
Significance
The election is viewed as a barometer of United Russia’s regional support and an indicator of the opposition parties’ ability to make electoral inroads in the North Caucasus. It also influences the composition of the republic’s executive branch, as the parliamentary majority plays a role in approving the Head of the Republic and regional policies.
References
- Constitution of the Kabardino‑Balkarian Republic (articles pertaining to the legislative assembly).
- Federal Law No. 90‑FZ “On Elections to the Legislative Bodies of the Subjects of the Russian Federation.”
- Official communications of the Central Election Commission of the Kabardino‑Balkarian Republic (2024).
Note: As the election has not yet taken place, specific outcomes, vote counts, and subsequent political developments are not currently documented.
