No more gold - Kazakhstan to change deputies' lapel badges

Tengrinews.kz — The size and composition of lapel pins for members of the Kazakh Parliament are set to change, according to Nurlan Abdirov, Chairman of the Central Election Commission.
Brass instead of gold
According to the head of the CEC, the issue was discussed with the participation of the Head of State. The President recommended reducing the size of the pin and moving away from the use of precious metals in its production.

"We discussed this issue several times within the commission, specifically in detail with specialists from the Mint. They recommended making the lapel pin out of brass, as brass is used in the manufacturing of the vast majority of all state awards," Abdirov said.

It was decided to keep the overall design of the pin, but its size has been reduced.

"The general color schemes have been preserved, but the dimensions of the pin have decreased. It has become, in my opinion, even more aesthetically pleasing and, I hope, comfortable to wear," the CEC head added.

Lapel pin cost drops sevenfold
Previous deputy lapel pins were made of 375-grade gold. According to Abdirov, they were last purchased in 2023, at which time a single pin cost 313,600 tenge tenge were imposed for these violations in the first half of 2026.
The new lapel pin, made of brass, will be significantly cheaper — approximately 42,000 tenge. Meanwhile, former deputies do not return their lapel pins upon the expiration of their terms.
As a reminder: elections for deputies of the new unicameral Parliament, the Kurultai, will be held in Kazakhstan on August 23. These will be the tenth parliamentary elections in the country since 1991 and the first since the adoption of the new Constitution.
Seven parties are participating in the elections. The composition of the party lists is distributed as follows:

Ak Zhol Democratic Party of Kazakhstan – 63 candidates;
Auyl People's Democratic Patriotic Party – 69 candidates;
Adilet Party (which includes the Amanat party) – 186 candidates;
Baytaq Kazakhstan Green Party – 47 candidates;
People's Party of Kazakhstan (NPK) – 72 candidates;
Nationwide Social Democratic Party (OSDP) – 33 candidates.
Respublica Party – 76 candidates.

Following the constitutional reform, Mazhilis and Senate ceased operations and their deputies were dissolved. Now, instead of a bicameral Parliament, the Kurultai will serve as the nation's legislative body. Following the election results, the new Parliament will consist of 145 deputies.