The President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has been in office since 1991. The Executive Office of the President exercises strong control over the Government, all branch ministers, and regional governors. Independent scrutiny of Kazakhstan’s political system reveals the limitations of the democratic process and insufficient freedom of public discussions (ICG, 2013, Heinrich, 2010, Bhuiyan, 2012). Oblast governors are appointed by the President, serve as his representatives in oblasts, head the oblasts and are responsible for implementation of the President’s policy decisions.