The actions of the akimat and akim are binding on the whole territory of the administrative and territorial unit. The validity of the akimat's acts and decisions can be suspended completely or partially by the president, the government of Kazakhstan, a higher-level akimat or akim, or the akimat or akim themselves, as well as by court decisions (Makhmutova, 2006). Maslikhats, or local councils, are elected for a four-year term directly by the citizens of the representative territories and approve the “comprehensive development plan” of their region or city.