CIS Observers: Kuryltai Elections in Kazakhstan were Fair, Competitive and Open

The CIS Observer Mission has summed up the results of its monitoring of the elections of members of the Kuryltai of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The press conference in Astana was attended by Head of the CIS Observer Mission and CIS First Deputy Secretary-General Igor Petrishenko and Coordinator of the IPA CIS international observer group and Deputy Chair of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Igor Brilevich.

According to the Mission, the elections were organised to a high standard and conducted in full compliance with national legislation.

“The elections were fair, competitive and open, ensuring the exercise of the right of citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan to freely express their will,” Igor Petrishenko said.

The Mission’s conclusions were based on the results of long-term and short-term monitoring of the electoral campaign. On election day, MPs of the Commonwealth countries worked at polling stations in Astana, the city of Kosshi and the village of Taitobe, where they communicated with members of election commissions, national observers and voters. They noted the calm and constructive atmosphere, active participation by citizens, the professional work of election commissions and the accessibility of polling stations for voters with limited mobility and visually impaired voters. No violations were identified at the polling stations visited, and no complaints were received from national observers.

According to preliminary data from the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 9,351,539 people took part in the voting. Voter turnout was 74.08%.

Igor Petrishenko thanked the organisers of the elections for creating the necessary conditions for the work of international observers and congratulated the people of Kazakhstan on the completion of an important political event. He expressed hope that the new Kurultai would serve as a link between the state and society and that its deputies would make well-considered decisions aimed at the country’s further development.