IPA CIS Observers Meet with Regional Election Headquarters in Almaty

On 6 August, members of the IPA CIS Observer Team held meetings with the leadership of regional headquarters of political parties participating in the Kurultai elections and with candidates for MPs from Almaty.

Deputy Chairman of the Nationwide Social Democratic Party Tazabek Sambetbay spoke about his participation in the nationwide televised debates and highly praised their organisation. He noted that, for the first time during this campaign, four rounds of debates would be held with the participation of all election contestants.

The debate format allows parties not only to present their programmes to voters, but also to hold open discussions on key issues related to the country’s development.

Chairman of the Auyl Party’s Almaty Branch Akhmetbek Konyrbayev noted that the party’s history began in Almaty, in the very building where its election headquarters is currently located. The election campaign is proceeding according to the agreed schedule using all means permitted by law. Four candidates from Almaty are running on the party list, and all of them are actively engaged with voters. Four to five campaign events are held daily.

The international observers also continued visiting polling stations in different districts of the city.

The IPA CIS international observers are conducting long-term monitoring of preparations for the first elections to the Kurultai. Kazakhstan’s new unicameral parliament will consist of 145 MPs elected under a proportional representation system in a single nationwide constituency.