"You know that in my 2020 Address to the Nation, I initiated the direct election of village akims. This was a very important step towards a fundamental modernization of state governance. Because local akims are the backbone of the entire government system.

Therefore, we did not allow undue haste, and gradually carried out the election of village akims over a period of 5 years.

"2,334 village akims were elected across the country. Their average age is 43 years. One-third of the newly elected akims are citizens who have not previously held public office."