On February 17, 2025, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and the head of the Presidential Administration Aibek Dadebay attended a meeting of the deputies of the maslikhats of the Abai region.
The deputies were presented with a letter from Kassym-Jomart Tokayev nominating two candidates for the position of akim of the region – the president's advisor and press secretary Berik Uali and the akim of Kurchatov Bolat Abdraliyev.
As a result of the open voting, 102 out of 126 deputies cast their votes for the candidacy of Berik Uali. Twenty-four deputies voted for the candidacy of Bolat Abdraliyev.
Subsequently, Berik Uali was appointed akim of the region by the corresponding presidential decree.
During the meeting with the region's active members, the Prime Minister stated that the president had set significant tasks for the region's leadership regarding socio-economic development, focusing on economic diversification and improving the investment climate. Special attention should be given to the tourism sector, highlighting the potential of Lake Alakol and the historical and cultural sites in the region.
Additionally, on this day, February 17, 2025, Nurymbet Saktaganov was appointed the new akim of the East Kazakhstan region. It was later reported that Arman Bekbosynov also contended for this position.