Initial Assessment from the Organization of Turkic States on Kazakhstan’s Elections

Initial Assessment from the Organization of Turkic States on Kazakhstan’s Elections

Deputy Secretary General Guliyev: “Voting Took Place in an Orderly, Calm and Democratic Environment”

Bruxelles Korner / Kadir Duran — Astana

Deputy Secretary General Guliyev of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) has shared the mission’s initial observations regarding Kazakhstan’s parliamentary elections. Noting that the electoral process was being monitored across different regions of the country, Guliyev said voting had generally proceeded in an orderly, calm and democratic atmosphere.

Guliyev stated that the OTS observation delegation included representatives with expertise in various fields and that members of the mission were continuing their work at a number of polling stations.

Order and calm at polling stations

According to Guliyev, the delegation received detailed information from election officials at the polling stations it visited and was able to observe electoral procedures directly.

He said order had been maintained at polling stations and that citizens appeared able to cast their ballots without visible pressure or tension.

Summarising the mission’s preliminary observations, Guliyev said:

“At the polling stations we have visited so far, we have had the opportunity to obtain comprehensive information. We observed that voting was continuing in a calm, orderly and democratic environment.”

Guliyev also stressed that elections are not merely a political process but an important test of the organisational capacity of state institutions. He highlighted the presence of young voters at polling stations as another noteworthy aspect of the election.

Arrangements for voters in special circumstances

The Organization of Turkic States delegation also examined measures designed to facilitate participation in the elections.

According to Guliyev, special arrangements had been introduced in some areas to enable citizens who were away from their registered place of residence, unable to reach their designated polling station because of working conditions, or operating under other exceptional circumstances to exercise their right to vote.

He said such measures were intended to improve voter access and added that the attention paid to practical details in the organisation of the election had made a positive impression on the delegation.

Expectations for the new parliament

Guliyev described the elections leading to the formation of Kazakhstan’s new parliament as an important stage in the country’s political development and expressed the expectation that the reform process would gain further momentum following the vote.

He said the Organization of Turkic States would continue to support Kazakhstan’s stability, sovereignty and development.

Concluding his preliminary assessment, Guliyev stated:

“We hope that brotherly Kazakhstan will continue to develop more strongly and more rapidly in the period ahead. As the Organization of Turkic States, we will continue to follow these processes closely and to stand by Kazakhstan.”

The delegation’s comprehensive and final assessment is expected to be released after voting has concluded and information collected by observers across the country has been consolidated.