Abstract
The President of Kazakhstan, on September 1, 2020, addressing the citizens of the country, took the initiative to hold direct local elections. Such elections should become a new stage of political modernization. A course was set for the liberalization of the political system in the country. This article presents partial results of the experience of conducting a study into the recent elections of local heads. The methodology of the study is described, and there are answers to some hypotheses presented. The assessment of the socio-economic situation of the objects of research- settlements is presented. The article considers electoral behavior, communication of the authorities with the population and the effectiveness of the reform. The theoretical significance of this study consists in the study and identification of factors related to electoral issues. The practical significance lies in the development and application of the questionnaire, in the pre-electoral and post-electoral period in the subsequent direct elections of heads of local executive authorities. The information obtained can be used for further study of the problematic issue, both for the areas under consideration and in similar types. The article examines the theoretical aspects of elections in general, and in particular, of local executive bodies. The research of electoral behavior in the perspective of transition into democracy, the interaction of "power and society" are considered. Some problems of personnel management, economic management and budgeting are raised.