Ak Orda residence to host N. Nazarbayev's swearing-in ceremony

On January 11 at 10:45 the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, will hold the President's inauguration ceremony.
The country's TV channels will ever-first broadcast it.

January 11, the day of the swearing-in ceremony, has been declared holiday according to the Governmental Resolution.

Delegations of 70 countries to participate in inauguration of Kazakh president

High-ranking delegations from 32 countries will take part in the inauguration ceremony of Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Leaders of the Russian Federation, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Georgia, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Croatia confirmed their participation.

China and Bulgaria will be represented by Deputy Chairman and Vice-President accordingly. Azerbaijan and Latvia sent heads of their Governments, deputy Prime Ministers of Turkey and Romania will also participate in the ceremony.

Delegations from United Arab Emirates and Oman attested their participation as well.

Deputy UN Secretary General, head of UN department in Geneva S.Ordzhonikidze, special representative of European Union Yan Kubish, OSCE Secretary General de Brichambaut, SCO Executive Secretary Zhang Deguang, CIS Executive Secretary V. Rushailo, CSTO Secretary General N. Bordyuzha, EurAsEC Secretary General G. Rapota and delegations of many other international organizations are to participate in the inauguration.

Kazakhstan President signed law on new State Anthem

January 7 the Head of the State Nursultan Nazarbayev signed the Constitutional Law “On amendments to the statutory Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Kazakhstan State Symbols,” Kazinform refers to the official President’s web-site.

The said law confirms new National Anthem of Kazakhstan based on the song “My Kazakhstan” by the composer Shamshi Kaldayakov, the words written by Zhumeken Najimedenov and Nursultan Nazarbayev.

High-ranking guests in swearing-in ceremony of Kazakhstan leader

Nursultan Nazarbayev receives congratulations from foreign Leaders

V. Putin congratulated Kazakhstan President on reelection

ASTANA. December 5. KAZINFORM - Today President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has congratulated Nursultan Nazarbayev on clear-cut victory at Presidential elections on December 4, 2005 on the telephone, Kazinform refers to Russia President's press-service.
V. Putin has expressed good wishes to all Kazakhstan citizens.
The Presidents intend to continue every possible development and further consolidation of neighbourliness, cooperation and strategic partnership between Russia and Kazakhstan.

Hu Jintao sent greetings telegram to Kazakhstan leader

ASTANA. December 6. KAZINFORM  Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev received a telegram of congratulations on his landslide from the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao, Kazinform refers to President Administration’s press-service.
I am ready to bend every effort directed on further consolidation of good neighbourliness and mutually profitable collaboration, deepening and development of China-Kazakhstan strategic partnership, the telegram reads.

Poland and USA President congratulate Kazakhstani leader

ASTANA. December 12. KAZINFORM. President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has been congratulated by Poland and USA leaders Alexander Kwasnevski and George Bush, Kazinform has learnt from the press service of Kazakhstan President.
On the occasion of your re-election to the post of President of the country I express my best wishes and sincere congratulation from myself and on behalf of Polish people. The good level of the relationship between Poland and Kazakhstan established during the last years may serve the reason for mutual contentment», Alexander Kwasnevski said in his telegram.
We know you are very popular. When people see the results of your work, there is no doubt you will be supported by the nation. I would also like to note that you have a friend in the name of the USA. We support you and thank you for your work», George Bush said in the letter.

Chirac: Kazakhstan is bulwark of stability in Central Asia

ASTANA. December 14. KAZINFORM. Last week in Paris Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to French Republic Amanzhol Zhankuliyev presented letters credential to the President of France Jacques Chirac, Kazinform has learnt from the press service of Kazakhstan MFA.
French leader congratulated Kazakhstan President on the re-election for a new presidential term. He noted it was the deserved victory of Nursultan Nazarbayev that expresses the will of Kazakhstani people.
Chirac emphasized content with the dynamics of developing bilateral relations in all regions calling them significant. French President stressed Kazakhstan was the bulwark of stability in Central Asia. Kazakhstan is the closest partner for France among other Central Asian republics.
French leader pointed out he valued the friendship with Nursultan Nazarbayev and confirmed his intention to visit Kazakhstan in 2006.

Our states achieved a lot during 15 years: Latvia President

ASTANA. December 14. KAZINFORM – Kazakhstan leader Nursultan Nazarbayev received a telegram of congratulations from the President of the Republic of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Kazinform refers to Kazakhstan President’s press-service.
I would like to congratulate you on your re-election as Kazakhstan President. The last 15 years were the period of radical transformations, massive efforts and considerable achievements of our nations. Latvia shares solidarity and sympathies of Kazakhstani people, ambition to build modern, civil society, based on key values of supremacy of law, respect for human rights and ideals of freedom.
Latvia highly estimates your personal contribution to consolidation of national statehood. We believe the continuation of deep democratic reforms will influence full integration of Kazakhstan into international political and economic structures. I am proud to say our countries managed to develop stable and productive relations, based on common historic experience and mutual interests during these 15 years. I anticipate maintenance of this tendency. In this connection I would like to repeat my invitation to visit Latvia at a time which is convenient to you, the telegram reads.

Kazakhstan became full member of international community

ASTANA. December 13. KAZINFORM Kazakhstan leader Nursultan Nazarbayev is receiving congratulations from notable world figures, Kazinform has learnt from President’s press-service.
Askhat Orazbay, Secretary General of Economic Cooperation Organization, notes in his message to the Kazakhstan President, your victory evidences nation-wide support of the strategic course, realized by your government. Your policy directed on international consent and stability, social, political and economic modernization, transformed Kazakhstan in one of the leading countries on the continent.
Your name will be connected with historical event for all Kazakhstan people gaining national sovereignty. Due to your qualities of a state leader and your unresting activity Kazakhstan is known not only in Czech Republic but also in the world as the country, having overcome long way and become full-fledged member of international community, telegram of congratulations of Comenius» Association president reads.

FRG Federal Chancellor, President congratulated Kazakhstan head on landslide

ASTANA. December 13. KAZINFORM President of Federal Republic of Germany Horst Keller and Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated Kazakhstan leader Nursultan Nazarbayev on his landslide, Kazinform refers to President’s press-service.
I congratulate you on the re-election as President of Kazakhstan. I wish you success and health. Germany will be your good and reliable partner from now on. Kazakhstan may count on Germany's support in conduction of economic, social and political reforms in future, the telegram of greetings reads.

N. Nazarbayev received congratulations from Ukraine Verkhovna Rada Chairman

ASTANA. December 13. KAZINFORM Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev received congratulations from Chairman of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Vladimir Litvinov on his smashing victory at presidential elections.
The results of presidential elections evidence trust of electorate towards your policy, directed on consolidation of Kazakhstan, development of civil society, deepening of political and economic reforms.
Expression of people’s will also demonstrated support of your efforts, directed on provision of stability, peace and well-being in the country. I believe your enormous political experience, living wisdom and unfailing energy will serve interests of Kazakhstan citizens for many years. I am sure amicable relations between our countries and people will develop on the basis of strategic partnership and mutually profitable collaboration in future, the telegram reads.

EC seeks development of harmonious relations with Kazakhstan: J. M. Barroso

ASTANA. December 13. KAZINFORM Chairman of European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso sent his congratulations to Kazakhstan leader Nursultan Nazarbayev on his landslide.
I would like to congratulate you on re-election as Kazakhstan President on behalf of the European Commission, the telegram of greetings reads. EC strives to continue development of harmonious and firm relations with your country, particularly on the basis of full realization of the Agreement on Partnership and Collaboration between EC and Kazakhstan.
EC will consolidate cooperation with your state, discuss problems of common interest with your government and support political and economic reforms in Kazakhstan in future.

Egypt President hopes for further development of bilateral relations

ASTANA. December 13. KAZINFORM President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak sent telegram of congratulations to Nursultan Nazarbayev in connection with his victory at the last presidential elections, Kazinform refers to Kazakhstan President’s press-service.
I would like to congratulate you on the re-election as Kazakhstan President. I wish you success in your state activity for the wealth of Kazakhstan people. I hope for further development of bilateral relations, his message reads.

Russian Federation republics recognize Kazakhstans authority

ASTANA. December 12. KAZINFORM. President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev keeps on receiving congratulations upon re-election to the high post of the country’s leader. The heads of Russian Federation countries also congratulated the President on his victory in the December 4 election.
Your energy and strong will in achievement of a goal are recognized by the majority of Kazakhstanis. People trust you as the leader who is able to carry out the efficient course towards in-depth development of the republic. Chechen people remember and appreciate the support and help of Kazakhstani people provided in the hard time», is said in the telegram sent to Nursultan Nazarbayev from Chechen Republic President Alu Alkhanov.
Your confident victory in the election is eloquent confirmation of recognition of your deserts in democratic reformations and considerable achievements in social, economic and cultural development of Kazakhstan gained during the last years», said President of the Republic of Ingushetia Murat Zyazikov.
The great respect showed to you by the voters testified your high business and personal qualities and mutual respect of the colleagues, the national support of your constructive deeds, bright ideas, plans and initiatives», Karachai-Circassian Republic President Mustafa Batdiyev congratulates Kazakhstani President.
The Republic of Adygeya President Khazret Sovmen said in his greeting telegram: Your bright and confident win is testimony of great authority and support among the multinational population of brotherly Kazakhstan.

Japans PM congratulated N. Nazarbayev on landslide

ASTANA. December 12. KAZINFORM. The Prime Minister of Japan Junichiro Koizumi has sent a greeting telegram to the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, President’s press service informs.
Let me express my sincere congratulations on Your reelection for the top nomination of the Republic of Kazakhstan. I hope Kazakhstan will keep on developing and contributing to the stability and prosperity of the Central Asia region under your guidance.
Kazakhstan and Japan have established friendly and favorable ties. Our country is ready to cooperate further with You for deeper development of these relations. Besides, Japan has intentions to cooperate in Central Asia+ Japan dialog as well thereat contributing to peace and stability of the entire Central Asian region, the telegram reads.

N. Nazarbayev received telegram of greetings from Czech President

ASTANA. December 12. KAZINFORM Kazakhstan leader Nursultan Nazarbayev received a telegram of congratulation on his landslide from the President of Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus, Kazinform refers to President’s press-service.
I would like to congratulate you on your re-election as Kazakhstan President on behalf of all Czech people. I am sure relations between our countries will develop in the atmosphere of mutual understanding in future. I wish you good health and success in your work, the telegram reads.

India PM congratulated Kazakhstan leader on re-election

ASTANA. December 12. KAZINFORM India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev on his smashing victory at the presidential elections in telegram of greetings, Kazinform has learnt from President’s press-service.
Kazakhstan became one of the most rapidly developing countries at Eurasian continent under your wise supervision. Kazakhstan-India collaboration in political, economic, trade and power spheres expanded during last years. I hope bilateral relations between our countries will develop in future, Prime Minister emphasized in the telegram.

CIS ex-presidents congratulate Nursultan Nazarbayev

ASTANA. December 10. KAZINFROM. The Presidents, executives of international organizations, political and public characters, figures of culture, science and art of CIS and non-CIS keep on addressing greeting telegrams to Nursultan Nazarbayev on his landslide, President’s press service informs.
Your victory confirms once again your constant movement forward to democracy and freedom and that you do all things needed to improve the living conditions, ex-president of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachyov wrote.
Kazakhstan is actually the second power following China which transforms socio- economic system through creation but not destruction. It is your victory, the ex-president of Moldova Peter Luchinskiy said.
Georgian former leader Eduard Shevardnadze has also congratulated Nursultan Nazarbayev on the excellent victory.

Bulgaria President congratulated N. Nazarbayev on landslide

ASTANA-BUDAPEST. December 9. KAZINFORM Kazakhstan Embassy in Central and East Europe received information from Hungary, Slovakia, Roumania and Bulgaria Presidents’ administrations about their congratulations, sent to Nursultan Nazarbayev, on occasion of his re-election.
I am sure Kazakhstan will continue realizing necessary reforms and conducting constructive internal and external policy. I would like to note your personal contribution to dynamic development of effective cooperation between our countries and people. I am convinced Bulgaria-Kazakhstan relations will develop in atmosphere of friendship and mutually profitable partnership. Mr. President, I wish health and further success in your responsible activity for prosperity of Kazakhstan and welfare of Kazakhstan people, the telegram of greetings from Bulgaria President G. Parvanov reads.

S Korean President congratulated N. Nazarbayev on re-election

ASTANA. December 9. KAZINFORM Congratulations of world leaders, political and social figures on Nursultan Nazarbayev’s landslide keep on coming, Kazinform refers to Kazakhstan President’s press-service.
President of South Korea Roh Moo-hyun congratulated Nursultan Nazarbayev on his victory on his behalf.
I believe Kazakhstan will achieve greater development in different spheres under your supervision, the telegram of greetings reads.

N. Nazarbayev’s authority enables Kazakhstan to realize plans: R. Aushev

ASTANA. December 9. KAZINFORM  Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev continues receiving telegrams of congratulations on his victory at the last elections, Kazinform has learnt from his press-service.
Chairman of the committee on soldiers-internationalists’ affairs under the Council of CIS leaders Ruslan Aushev expressed confidence that immense authority of the Head of the State at the international scene and his wide experience will enable Kazakhstan to realize all plans in future.
Chairperson of Interstate Aviation Committee T. Andronina also sent her congratulations to Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Kazakhstan plays one of the key roles in EurAsEC, G. Rapota

ASTANA. December 9. KAZINFORM. The Secretary General of the Eurasian Economic Community Grigoriy Rapota congratulated the President of Kazakhstan on his landslide, Presidential Administration’s press service informs.
I congratulate you heartily upon an election for top nomination as the President of Kazakhstan, the telegram reads. The election results have shown that the people of Kazakhstan approve the course you have been holding. I sincerely wish you new grand achievements on this position of trust.
I’m pleased to perceive that Kazakhstan plays one of the key roles in the activity of EurAsEC aimed at development of multifaceted cooperation of its member states. I’m sure Your active participation in the work of the EurAsEC Interstate Council will let efficiently make headway towards optimal settlement of scale integration tasks.

UN FAO wishes Kazakhstan prosperity

ASTANA. December 9. KAZINFORM. Director General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Jacques Diouf has sent a greeting telegram to the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev on reelection for new presidential term, Presidential Administration’s press service informs.
I’m honored to congratulate you on behalf of the UN FAO and wish you health and success. I’d like also to wish the people of Kazakhstan happiness and prosperity and achieving common goals, the telegram reads.

Israel President congratulates Nursultan Nazarbayev

ASTANA. December 9. KAZINFORM. President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has received a greeting telegram from Israel President Moshe Katsav, Kazinform has learnt from the press service of the President.
On behalf of Israeli people and myself I would like to congratulate Your Excellency on being re-elected to the high post of Kazakhstan President. I am convinced the friendly relationship and cooperation between our nations will keep on strengthening, Mr. Mashe Katsav said in his telegram.

Lithuania PM emphasizes high achievements of Kazakhstan

ASTANA. December 9. KAZINFORM. PM of Lithuania Algirdas Brazauskas made a call to Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and congratulated on his victory in the December 4 election, the press service of the President said.
The foreign President emphasized high achievements of Kazakhstan in promotion of market reforms and expressed hope the cooperation between Kazakhstan and Lithuania would proceed developing.

Nursultan Nazarbayev receives congratulations from foreign leaders

ASTANA. December 8. KAZINFORM. President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev keeps on receiving congratulations from foreign leaders on his victory in the December 4 election.
I am glad to express my sincere congratulations on your re-election to the post of Kazakhstan President. I remember about your visit to Vienna in September, 2004 and having an opportunity I send my best wishes of personal well being and happiness and successful implementation of your mission», Austrian Republic President Hans Fischer said in his telegram to the President of Kazakhstan.
“I congratulate Your Excellency on being re-elected to the post of Kazakhstan President”, Omar Sultan Kabus bin Said uttered in the complimentary telegram to Nursultan Nazarbayev and wished him success, strong health, happiness and wellbeing.

Patriarch Alexis II congratulates N. Nazarbayev on landslide

ASTANA. December 8. KAZINFORM. Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexis II has sent a greeting telegram to the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazinform refers to the President’s press service.
Setting good pattern of adherence to the duty You carry out the numerous obligations assumed with sense of responsibility. I’m pleased to proclaim your personal contribution to the development of fruitful cooperation of the spiritual and temporal authorities called for teamwork to restore disturbed sanctuaries, construct new cathedrals, social service and charity, the telegram reads.

Landslide evidences Kazakhstan peoples confidence, Russian Muftis Council chair

ASTANA. December 8. KAZINFORM. The chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin has congratulated the President of Kazakhstan, President’s Administration press service informs.
Your triumphal reelection for a new presidential term has witnessed the great confidence and appreciation of the people of Kazakhstan, representatives of various nationalities, cultures and religions as an outstanding and authoritative leader with the world acknowledgment, able to provide political stability, peaceful and creative life, economic prosperity and welfare, the telegram reads.

Bill Clinton's congratulations to Nursultan Nazarbayev

ASTANA. December 7. KAZINFORM - President of Kazakhstan has received letter of congratulation from ex-US President Bill Clinton, who has been friendly with Nursultan Nazarbayev since long time. My congratulations on your re-election as a President of Kazakhstan. You know responsibility and difficulties of this kind of activity, they are huge. At the beginning of your new presidential term I am sure you will be equal to expectations of your people, reads the telegram.

World leaders congratulated Kazakhstan President on victory

ASTANA. December 6. KAZINFORM World leaders continue congratulating Kazakhstan President on his clear-cut victory at elections.
Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov sent telegram of congratulations to Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazinform has learnt from President Administration’s press-service.
You deserved univocal recognition and credence of people due to your incessant and hard work on realization of country’s potential, provision of people’s prosperity and gradual democratic reformation of Kazakhstan, the leader of Uzbekistan pointed out.
King of Jordan Abdullah II bin Al Hussein has also sent telegram of greetings to the Head of the State. He wished Kazakhstan people welfare and constant progress.
Ukraine President Viktor Yushchenko congratulated Nursultan Nazarbayev on his election triumph by the phone. In the course of the conversation he highly estimated success of economic reforms in Kazakhstan, being realized under direction of Kazakhstan leader.
V. Yushchenko expressed hope for further consolidation and development of bilateral relations.
Turkey President Ahmet Necdet Sezer also congratulated Nursultan Nazarbayev on his landslide on the phone. He pointed out, he was sure in his absolute victory.
Having congratulated Kazakhstan leader on his victory, Tajikistan President Emomali Rakhmonov said, he expects further development of ties between both countries.

Congratulations keep on coming

ASTANA. December 6. KAZINFORM King Juan Carlos of Spain and President of Byelorussia Alexander Lukashenko sent Nursultan Nazarbayev telegrams of congratulations on his smashing landslide, Kazinform has learnt from President Administration’s press-service.
Having noted triumphant victory of Kazakhstan leader at presidential elections, King of Spain pointed out, this result is the indisputable evidence that Kazakhstan people back the state program being realized on your initiative of democratic reformation. It will allow achieving tasks assigned.
Alexander Lukashenko stated that President’s landslide evidences recognition of his merits in enhancement of people’s prosperity, preservation of peace and consent in the society.
He also noted he hopes for extension of bilateral cooperation.

Nazarbayev Returns as President in

Landslide Victory

Nursultan Nazarbayev cruised to a reelection for a new seven-year term in the December 4th election receiving the support of more than 90 percent of those who voted. More than three fourths of registered voters exercised their right to vote and cast ballots on Election Day which went in a mostly calm and amicable atmosphere.

Onalsyn Zhumabekov, Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission, declared the election valid and announced the preliminary results at a Monday morning press conference in Astana. He said Mr. Nazarbayev received 6,100,694 votes cast, or 91.01 percent, Zharmakhan Tuyakbai of For a Fair Kazakhstan movement came second with 445,047 votes, or 6.64 percent, while Alikhan Baimenov of the Ak Zhol Democratic Party was third with 1.65 percent. Yerassyl Abylkassymov finished fourth with 0.38 percent, while Mels Yeleusizov of the Tabigat (Nature) environmental movement was fifth with 0.32 percent.

More than three fourths of registered voters in Kazakhstan turned out at polling stations on December 4 to cast their ballot. Out of a total of 8,874,968 voters in voter lists, 6,850,000, or more than 77 percent, voted. Slightly less than 400,000 people, or 13.80 % of those who voted, chose to do it through the Sailau electronic system, while almost 3,000,000, or 35 percent, had such an option.

The election was observed by 11,086 trustees of candidates for president, more than 1,000 observers from foreign countries, international organizations and foreign reporters, 16,458 observers from political parties, 5,652 observers from public associations, and 500 Kazakh reporters.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as observers from other international organizations and foreign countries are expected to issue their preliminary reports on the conduct of the election later on Monday.

Preliminary results (as of 10.00 am Astana time, Monday, December 5, 2005):

Candidate / Party	Number of votes	Percentage
Nursultan Nazarbayev / Otan Party	6,100,694	91.01
Zharmakhan Tuyakbai / For a Fair Kazakhstan movement	445,047	6.64
Alikhan Baimenov / Ak Zhol Democratic Party	110,462	1.65
Yerassyl Abylkassymov /Communist People’s Party	25,330	0.38
Mels Yeleusizov /Tabigat (Nature) movement	21,674	0.32

Foreign Minister Says Kazakhs’

Free Choice Should Be Respected

Kassymzhomart Tokaev, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister, speaking at the OSCE annual ministerial meeting in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on December 6, said “according to the assessments of independent observers from a number of countries, including those who are OSCE members, international organizations and institutions, this election was free, transparent and honest. All the unbiased observers registered no serious violations of law and confirmed the election complied with international standards.”

The Foreign Minister noted this was the “result of our strong commitment to cooperation with all international agencies, including the OSCE. The Government of my country accepted almost all of the recommendations of the observers of ODIHR’s mission in the pre-election period. We expressed our willingness to make this election free and fair. Kazakhstan managed to make it the best election in our short history as an independent country.”

Minister Tokaev added, “However, we disagree with some negative assessments which, in our view, resulted from the so called ‘technical approach’ to the election outcomes without taking into consideration the context and perspectives of the development of my country.” He noted because of that, Kazakhstan “took the preliminary report of ODIHR with certain concern. We do not over dramatize the whole situation created by the negative part of the report. However, this document cannot be deemed by us as neutral. Unfortunately, the report produced controversial feelings and doubts among our people about the credibility of ODIHR’s mission and its ability to meet the expectations of our society for a just and equal dialogue with the OSCE.”

The Foreign Minister stressed, “The people of my country almost unanimously voted for President Nazarbayev’s policy of reforms which has already made Kazakhstan a success story in the post-Soviet area. Our people voted for stability, prosperous economy, and a better future for their children, for a strong, competitive and democratic Kazakhstan. They voted against upheavals, interethnic conflicts, unemployment and poverty. This free choice of the multiethnic and multi-religious people of my country should be respected in the world.”

2005 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN KAZAKHSTAN

November 21, 2005

Candidates square off in first ever TV election debates

Presidential candidates squared off live on national TV on November 17 for the first time ever in Kazakhstan’s history.

Four candidates took part in the debates on Khabar TV, including Yerassyl Abylkassymov, Alikhan Baimenov, Mels Eleusizov, and Zharmakhan Tuyakbai. The debates included presentations of the candidates’ platforms, their personal stories, followed by questions and answers between those running for office. The debates took place in a competitive but amicable atmosphere.

Murat Auezov, member of the Public Committee on Election Oversight, said: “Debates are a good format. You can judge for yourself: candidates freely expressed their thoughts. Granted, not all of them are orators, but it is obvious that they spend a lot of time preparing.”

On the same day, the fifth candidate, incumbent President Nursultan Nazarbayev, whose approval rating floats at 70 to 75 percent according to various polls, began an official visit to Ukraine. The visit’s itinerary includes talks with President Viktor Yuschenko, a speech to the Ukrainian Rada (Parliament), and signing a number of agreements.

CEC Chair: observers will get vote count on spot, preliminary results to be announced 24 hours later

Onalsyn Zhumabekov, Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission (CEC), said the CEC will upload voting results district by district on its website within 24 hours after the vote closes on December 4. He also stressed observers from foreign countries and international organizations accredited by the CEC will be able to get copies of vote tabulation at each polling station on Election Day.

Zhumabekov spoke about these plans at a November 16 meeting in Astana with Sean Woo, chief of staff of the U.S. Commission for Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission). The commission is an independent agency of the U.S. Government monitoring the application of the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 in 55 countries which are currently members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Zhumabekov pointed out “Kazakhstan is doing all that is needed to ensure the upcoming presidential election is open, fair and transparent.” He pointed out that inviting foreign observers was a commitment to openness in the election. Under Kazakh law, there are no limitations on the number of CEC accredited foreign observers present at polling stations. Also, on Election Day polling stations are open for authorized representatives of candidates, observers from political parties, NGOs, and the news media. Such openness is not something common in all OSCE member countries.

According to a CEC press release, Woo noted the commission’s “important role in ensuring transparency of the election process” and said he hoped the election will become an example for other countries.

Government to send Election Law amendment to Parliament

The Government is preparing to send an amendment to the law on elections to Parliament abolishing a ban on public protests following the campaign.

Such expressions of public, group or personal interests and protests following the election campaign, which could influence voters or staff of the election commissions, were outlawed by Paragraph 6, Article 44 of the Law on Elections in April of this year. The ban is supposed to last from the moment the election campaign ends and until results are officially announced.

The monitoring mission from OSCE/ODIHR said earlier in November the provision may hinder freedom of assembly and recommended repeal. On November 11, Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission asked the Government to seek such action. Zhumabekov, speaking to reporters on November 18, said there are no grounds for keeping the ban in place.

Bryza discusses presidential election, political reform in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has the opportunity to lead Central Asia into a prosperous future if its December 4 elections are conducted with the freedom and fairness promised by President Nursultan Nazarbayev, a U.S. diplomat says.

The U.S. goal is for a successful election “that would enable Kazakhstan to be a locomotive of positive development throughout the whole region,” Matthew Bryza, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, said November 17.

The elections offer the opportunity for Kazakhstan “to raise itself to an unprecedented level as a real leader in Central Asia, not only in the hard-core security and economic concerns of the realpolitik world, but also on the issue of shared values that can expand political freedom,” Bryza said. He was one of four panellists who discussed the upcoming elections at a Hudson Institute conference in Washington.

When Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited Astana, Kazakhstan, in October, Nazarbayev said he was committed to promoting democracy. A day before Rice’s arrival, the country’s Central Election Commission announced a commitment to measures that would make the voting freer and fairer, Bryza said.

“It’s impossible for any country to flip the switch one day or in one election and suddenly have an ideal democratic political environment,” Bryza said. “That’s just not how human nature works. What matters is that countries are moving decisively, constantly – but at the pace that is reflective of reality – toward democratic institutions.”

November 17, 2005

STATEMENT

of the Central Election Commission

of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The Central Election Commission (СЕС) of the Republic of Kazakhstan has released a Statement concerning the first interim Report of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission of the Elections of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The CEC notes with satisfaction the constructive nature of cooperation with OSCE/ODIHR over the last years and highly appreciates the assistance of OSCE/ODIHR in its efforts to further improve election legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It also notes the predominantly positive character of the interim Report submitted by OSCE/ODIHR Mission. The Report underlines the transparency and publicity in the work of the Central Election Commission.

The CEC has accepted a number of recommendations of the Mission Report and taken action on them. For example, the earlier ruling of the Almaty City Prosecutor with regard to one of the opposition leaders was found unjustified and called back. The CEC has taken up the recommendation of the OSCE/ODIHR Mission Report and enhanced measures with respect to printing and distribution of the absentee certificates to the polling stations.

Importantly, upon consideration of the Report’s recommendation to remove a recent amendment in the Article 44.6 of the Election Law which placed a limitation on the right to have rallies and demonstrations for a strictly limited period between after the votes have been cast and the voting results are officially announced, the CEC has initiated a legal move with the Kazakh Parliament to withdraw Article 44.6 from the Election Law, although its only rationale was to ensure the public order during the vote count and to prevent any pressure onto the process of the vote count, and it didn’t amount, as the CEC believes, to the disruption of the right to free and peaceful assembly which is firmly fixed in the Kazakh Constitution.

At the same time the CEC didn’t accept some recommendations and conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR Report. In particular the CEC believes that the Law provides equal opportunities for the representatives of all political parties to sit in the Election Commissions of different levels and doesn’t take the point of the Report that opposition parties are underrepresented in the Election Commissions.

The CEC reiterated its commitment and desire to ensure that all elections in Kazakhstan are carried out in a free and fair manner and to continue efforts to further improve the election legislation and election process in Kazakhstan.

Please find enclosed herewith full text of the CEC’s Statement.

STATEMENT

of the Central Election Commission

of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The interim Report № 1 of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission of the Elections of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan was considered by the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Central Election Commission notes that its mutual relations with OSCE/ODIHR are turning into constructive cooperation in the last years. Central Election Commission highly appreciates the assistance of OSCE/ODIHR in the work of improving of election legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and also notes that the interim Report submitted by OSCE/ODIHR Mission predominantly has the positive character. The Report underlines the transparency and publicity in the work of the Central Election Commission.

In this respect, Central Election Commission considers that the words, pronounced by the Head of the Mission Mrs. Audrey Glover at her arrival in Kazakhstan, are confirmed in reality. She said that the OSCE/ODIHR Mission has come without «any ideas discussed beforehand and without the «luggage of the past»» and that the observation will be objective and impartial, without «using double standards».

Central Election Commission has admitted and has fulfilled a series of recommendations of the Mission. Thus, for instance, in the Report of the OSCE/ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) that visited Kazakhstan from 13 to 18 of September 2005 there is a fact of a prosecutor of Almaty city who has sent a «law explanation» to a political leader of the opposition on August 16, 2005.

In the opinion of NAM, the given «law explanation» limits the right of the freedom of self-expression, freedom of movement and freedom of assembly.

During the visit of NAM to the Republic of Kazakhstan on September, 2005 the Central Election Commission was engaged in the work examining the «explanation» according to the oral appeal of Zh.A. Tuyakbaj, his representative T. Tokhtasynov and others, which was pronounced on September 12, 2005 in their reception by the Chairman of Central Election Commission O.I. Zhumabekov.

According to the results of consideration of the «explanation» of the prosecutor of Almaty city Central Election Commission has come to a conclusion that his «explanation» does not correspond to the Constitutional Act «On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan». On October 6, 2005 the Chairman of the Central Election Commission sent a letter to the Prosecutor-General of the Republic of Kazakhstan R.T. Tusupbekov with request to recall the «explanation» of the prosecutor of Almaty city which was sent to the Chairman of the RPA «Bloc of Democratic Forces «For a Just Kazakhstan»» Zh.A. Tuyakbaj.

Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan has agreed with the arguments of the Central Election Commission, and on October 21, 2005 R.T. Tusupbekov has written an answer that on October 19 the prosecutor of Almaty city had recalled the «explanation» addressed to Zh.A. Tuyakbaj.

Besides that, the prosecutor of Almaty city has recalled the explanations addressed to the public associations «Union of the Kazaks of Semirechje», «Russian Community of Kazakhstan», «Republican Slavic Movement», «Lad», «Union of the Kazaks of the Stepnoy Krai» and to Mr. S. Abdildin, which have not been mentioned in the above-given NAM Report.

The Central Election Commission has agreed with the recommendations of the Mission on the necessity of a more efficient regulation of printing and distribution to the polling stations of the absentee certificates. At the Central Election Commission meeting on November 11, 2005 the issue of the manufacturing and distribution of absentee certificates to the polling stations for the election of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2005 and a corresponding resolution has been passed.

The Central Election Commission has thoroughly studied the OSCE/ODIHR position in the fact that some of the amendments, inserted on April 2005 to the Act on Elections, may lead to the limitation of the freedom of peaceful assemblies, particularly the statement that «any forms of expressing public, group and personal interests and protests that can facilitate an impact of voters and members of the election commissions are not allowed from the moment when the term for conducting the election campaign is over and till the official publication of the results of elections».

Upon the results of the discussion of the given issue, the Central Election Commission has prepared a bill on excluding of item 6, Article 44 from the Constitutional Act of the Republic of Kazakhstan «On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan». The Central Election Commission intends to initiate its consideration in the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

At the same time, a range of conclusions and estimations of OSCE/ODIHR experts either repeat some of the statements of the preliminary needs assessment Report or contain the conclusions with which the Central Election Commission cannot agree.

In the Report the low level of representation in the composition of election commissions of opposition parties is shown.

In the Republic of Kazakhstan the state provides participation of the representatives of the political parties in the territorial and precinct election commissions.

Earlier the regional election commissions were formed by the decision of the Central Election Commission on the proposal of akims of regions, cities of Astana and Almaty, following below territorial election commissions on the proposal of the corresponding akim; now after making amendments on April, 2004 to the Constitutional Act «On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan» territorial, district and precinct election commissions are elected by the corresponding Maslikhats on the basis of proposals of political parties.

Each political party has the right to present the candidature to the composition of the corresponding election commission. Political parties have the right to propose to the composition of the election commission the candidatures which are not members of this political party.

In case of absence of the proposals of the political parties in the term installed by the Maslikhat which should be done within a month before formation of the election commission, the Maslikhats elect the election commission on the proposal of other social unions and higher election commissions.

It should be noted that the Republic of Kazakhstan being a member of OSCE fulfils the commitments to conduct the democratic elections.

The order of formation of election commissions, accepted in our Republic, is more democratic than it is foreseen in the commitments of OSCE. For example, the paragraph 4.1 of the Inventory of commitments recognizes that the body responsible for organization of elections should consist of individuals with competence and they are required to carry out their responsibilities in impartial manner. In other words, the participating states of the OSCE determine themselves the means of formation of election bodies. In many states of Europe the elections are organized and conducted by the employees of the executive bodies, including the ministries of internal affairs.

Places in the election commissions cannot be automatically given to the political parties, proceeding from the fact of their existence on the political arena. Point 7.6 of Copenhagen Document provides, that the state " ensures political parties and the organizations the necessary legal guarantees allowing them to compete with each other on the basis of equality before the law and authorities ".

Such legal guarantees in the Republic of Kazakhstan are ensured. As the election commissions are elected by the local representative bodies (Maslikhats) political parties struggle for mandates of deputies of Maslikhats and through Maslikhats try to have representations in the election commissions.

On May – June 2004 in the country according to new order the members of the election commissions of all levels have been elected.

On April 2005 inserted amendments to the Act "On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan" provide that the quantity of voters on each polling station should make no more than three thousand.

In this connection in the regions of the country the work on verification of existing borders and of formation of new polling stations was carried out. 202 new supplementary polling stations are formed.

In all there are 9803 election commissions in the country, including 9583 divisional, 167 district, district in city, 37 city and 16 regional, of the cities of Astana and Almaty election commissions.

56814 members of the commissions or 82,8 % to the general number of members are elected on presentation of political parties to the members of commissions including:

· from the Agrarian Party of Kazakhstan - 7516 (11,0 %);

· from the Civil Party of Kazakhstan - 7818 (11,4 %);

· from the Democratic Party of Kazakhstan " Ak Zhol " - 3020
(4,4 %);

· from the Democratic Party of Kazakhstan - 185 (0,3 %);

· from the Kazakhstan Social-Democratic Party "Auyl "-
7775 (11,3 %);

· from the Communist People’s Party of Kazakhstan - 144
(0,2 %).

· from the Communist Party of Kazakhstan - 1312 (1,9 %);

· from the Party of Patriots of Kazakhstan - 4335 (6,3 %);

· from the Party "Ruhaniyat" - 6312 (9,2 %);

· from the Republican Party "Аsаr" - 8929 (13,0 %);

· from the Republican Political Party " Оtan " – 9468 (13,8%)

The number of members of the commissions elected on presentation of public associations, consist of 2517 (3,7 %), the higher election commissions are 9253 (13,5 %).

From the above-stated information we see that all 11 registered political parties presented members to the election commissions. And as to a level of representation it is necessary to raise it in competitive struggle.

In prospect the Central Election Commission does not exclude the reception of experience of Germany, France, Kingdom of Netherlands and others.

We suppose that there was no reason for Mission to include to the Report the words: «the Central Election Commission has decided to give up in registration of six applicants who have not presented required documents in second half of the day on October, 24, some hours prior to the expiration of lawful term of registration at midnight».

By time of session on which the given decision was accepted, the Central Electoral Commission had the information that any of six applicants actually has not presented subscription lists to the corresponding territorial election commissions. Applicants have not given election payments and reference on delivery of the declaration on incomes are not presented, which also is a necessary condition for registration.

Under such circumstances there was no necessity for the Central Electoral Commission to wait till the midnight concerning these six applicants.

Other situation has developed with registration of Mr. U. Kajsarov. Unlike six mentioned above applicants, U. Kajsarov’s proxies conducted the work for collection of signatures at his support, and by October 24, 2005 minutes of the majority of the regional territorial election commissions of the Republic have been submitted to the Central Election Commission. The quantity of the collected authentic signatures in support to U. Kajsarov did not correspond to the requirement of the election legislation. The candidate to the President has not been maintained by necessary quantity of the voters representing not less of one percent from the general number of voters, in an equal extent of two thirds of regions, the cities of Astana and Almaty. Minutes of the territorial election commissions continued to be delivered, in this connection the decision to hold a session of the Central Election Commission at 23 o'clock 30 minutes on October 24, 2005 was accepted. By specified time minutes of 14 territorial election commissions have received except Minutes of the territorial commissions of Atrau and Karaganda regions.

Central Election Commission has taken a decision on the basis of the given minutes on refusal U. Kaisarov for registration as the candidate to the President The ground of this decision was argued by U. Kaisarov in the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan. According to decision of the Supreme Court of November 10 U. Kaisarov was rejected his suit requirements. The resolution of the Central Election Commission is recognized as legal.

It is said in the Report, that the Mission has reliable information concerning the limitation of the freedom of self-expression, has applications on the pressure to the voters done by the local administration and law-protection bodies.

Central Election Commission declares about its readiness to consider these materials and to do its best for the guilty persons to be punished, if those facts really took place.

On this and some other provisions of the Report of the Central Election Commission is planning to continue the work together with the Mission of OSCE/ODIHR.

Group of experts including the specialists in the sphere of law, politology, sociology for analyzing international law and further perfection of Kazakhstan election legislation by the Central Election Commission is going to be created.

Central Election Commission firmly intends to continue the work on provision of competitive, fair and free elections of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, obtaining strict observance of the requirements of the Kazakhstan election legislation by all participants of the election process.

In the Republic of Kazakhstan there are all conditions to make forthcoming elections to be the best in the history of independent Kazakhstan.

Being in the process of the provision of electoral campaign for the elections of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan the Central Election Commission realizes the exclusive importance of this political event, having occurred once in seven years, treats with understanding to the high interest of the international community to the elections, and in this connection reveals maximum openness and benevolence to all participants of the electoral process and also to the foreign partners of the country.

There are no any obstacles and limitations in the activity of the foreign partners. They should only fulfill the requirements of the Kazakhstan legislation and Code of Ethics for observers of OSCE of elections.

Central Election Commission considers that the Kazakhstan party has the right to expect in reply to our openness, attention and benevolence the same treatment to us from the invited observers of elections of our partners.

Central Election Commission
of the Republic of Kazakhstan
November 11, 2005

November 16, 2005

2005 Kazakhstan’s Presidential Election:
Independent experts publish their report

As the Kazakh Embassy in the UK was informed, the Caspian Information Centre (CIC), the London-based independent research organisation, published on November 10 a report entitled “Inquiry into the Preparations For a Free and Fair Presidential Election in the Republic of Kazakhstan December 4th 2005”, describing legal and administrative framework ahead of the forthcoming presidential election in Kazakhstan.

The authors of the report are Mr David Ruffley, MP, Vice-Chair of the All-Party Group on Kazakhstan at Westminster, the CIC General Director Mr Gerald Frost, an emeritus Professor Kenneth Minogue from the London School of Economics and Professor Dennis O’Keeffe a social scientist at the University of Buckingham.

On this occasion the CIC held a press conference for British and foreign media at the Travellers Club on November 10 to launch the report.

The report has been prepared following their fact-finding visit to Kazakhstan on October 6–11 during which they had meetings with Kazakh governmental officials, opposition leaders, representatives of NGOs and mass media.

The purpose of the British independent experts’ visit was to inquire about the preparations that have been made to hold the Presidential Election on December 4th 2005.

“The task of observing elections is more complex and difficult than is recognised, and no organisation involved in this process has a monopoly on truth”, says the report.

The authors of the report accepted the last year’s judgement of Professor Christopher Greenwood, QC, that if applied faithfully and properly, the Election Law of 2004 is capable of producing elections which comply with the Copenhagen Principles of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation, 1990. They noted that a number of subsequent changes to the Election Law in 2005 represent further improvements.

As the authors said in the report: “Uniquely for a Central Asian state, Kazakhstan has made substantial progress toward building democracy while maintaining stability and promoting ethnic and religious tolerance, and in some areas such progress has been remarkable.”

“We believe that the forthcoming Presidential election provides the opportunity for all candidates, political parties and election officials to strengthen the country's democratic base and develop a brand of popular democracy that reflects Kazakhstan's unique history, culture and political tradition”, concluded the authors.

Please find enclosed herewith the unabridged Executive Summary of the Report, the full text of which may be downloaded at the link above or by visiting CIC’s website at www.caspianinfo.org .

Executive Summary

1. The task of observing elections is more complex and difficult than is recognised, and no organisation involved in this process has a monopoly on truth. Broadly speaking, there are two possible approaches. The first, which we may call "Abstract Model Observation", applies a universal standard without regard to the historical context. The second, "Developmental Observation", makes an assessment which allows for historical factors, in order to permit a judgement about whether the conduct of an election represents a positive step forward in terms of real political development.

2. In the production of this report following the Caspian Information Centre's fact-finding visit to Kazakhstan on 6th – 11th October (see p. 26), we have followed the second of these two approaches, although we recognise that both have their weaknesses.

3. The purpose of our visit was to inquire about the preparations that have been made to hold the Presidential Election on December 4th 2005. Our starting point is to note that democratic reform in Kazakhstan has been less rapid than economic change. Many political changes which followed Independence in 1991 have been of a pragmatic nature. The choice on offer from the two leading candidates in the Presidential election on December 4th 2005 is between the policy of the incumbent President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, who pledges to match economic decentralisation with a programme of gradual political reform, and that of his principle challenger, Zarmakhan Tuyakbai, leader of the "For Just Kazakhstan" bloc of parties, who promises to replace what he describes as a corrupt and authoritarian regime with an administration committed to democratic change, openness and the wider dispersal of wealth.

4. We accept the judgement of Professor Christopher Greenwood, QC, that if applied faithfully and properly, the Elections Law of 2004 is capable of producing elections which comply with the Copenhagen Principles of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation, 1990. A number of subsequent changes to the Law represent significant further improvements. In the report that follows, we have sought to address the question of whether the law will be faithfully and properly applied in the Presidential Election which will take place on December 4th 2005.

5. The contents and tone of the President's Decree of September 9th 2005 regarding the electoral rights of citizens (Appendix I) and the “Appeal to All Candidates” by the Central Election Commission (CEC) of October 11th (Appendix II) suggest that the authorities are serious about ensuring that the election complies fully and faithfully with the Elections Law.

6. We do not accept that an amendment to the Elections Law which prevents public demonstrations during the strictly limited period between the end of campaigning and the announcement of the result necessarily represents a denial of human rights or a step backwards in the development of Kazakhstan's democratic institutions, as the OSCE/ODIHR asserts in its Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) Report of September 28th 2005. Given the recent upheavals in former CIS states, the reasons for the ban are not difficult to discern.

7. We do, however, have questions about the prominence given by OSCE/ODIHR to its criticism of this amendment in its NAM Report, since it could encourage unlawful actions which could set back Kazakhstan's political development. In countries in which democratic institutions are new and possibly fragile, we believe that observers should take great care in ensuring that their own activities do not influence the conduct of elections.

8. The practical arrangements being made by the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan prior to December 4th are encouraging. They display a greater degree of professionalism and openness than was the case during the elections to the Majilis on 19th September 2004, which in turn represented an improvement on earlier elections.

9. The large number of investigations into alleged violations of the Elections Law following the September 19th 2004 elections (857) and the 83 prosecutions that followed (see p. 23) suggest that the authorities are, again, making serious attempts to raise standards.

10. We understand the suspicions of Opposition candidates in relation to the limited use of electronic voting. However, we believe that these concerns may be allayed by the presence at the election of technically competent independent observers from the OSCE and by the CEC fully advertising the fact that voters are able to cast their votes in the traditional way, if they choose to do so.

11. Assessments about how far Kazakhstan has progressed in achieving its stated aim of transforming itself from a totalitarian republic of the former Soviet Union into a modern market-based democracy are bound to involve many complex judgements on a wide range of issues. What is clearly apparent is that remarkable and rapid changes have occurred in the economic sphere as the result of the successful exploitation of the country's energy resources.

12. We do not accept the judgement of some opposition candidates and journalists that only a relatively few people have benefited from the economic growth that has followed. This is contradicted not only by the obvious vibrancy of Kazakhstan's major cities but also by data from the IMF, the World Bank and other respected international organisations which shows that the number living below the poverty line has fallen considerably and the wider distribution of wealth has been more rapid than had previously been anticipated. For this reason, and others, we do not believe – as some have alleged - that Kazakhstan is on the verge of a 'coloured revolution.'

13. Opposition parties freely express their criticism of the government but have made little progress in establishing distinctive profiles in ideological or policy terms. It is striking that many of the government's fiercest critics, including prominent candidates in this election, are disaffected former members of the government.

14. The media is quite obviously freer now than prior to independence. The fact that 80 per cent of the media is privately owned may exaggerate the extent of media freedoms, but the print media clearly includes implacable opponents of the President and his government. During our visit we met journalists who complained that they were subject to intimidation and harassment; these charges are denied by ministers, some of whom have claimed that journalists with links to opposition parties regularly fabricate or exaggerate differences with the authorities in order to discredit the government.

15. What independent evidence there is does not seem to support claims that, having been relaxed in the wake of Independence, media freedoms are now being eroded; the facts would seem to suggest a steady if gradual growth of media freedoms. However, the issue of media ownership remains a vexed issue in Kazakhstan as in many other countries, including those with much longer traditions of democratic rule.

16. The absence of a television company sympathetic to the Kazakhstan opposition and the fact the President's daughter Dariga Nazarbayeva has substantial media holdings, including controlling interests in more than one television company, suggests that there may be a case for legislation to deal with this situation – as has been suggested by a recent delegation of European parliamentarians.

17. While the Government and the Central Election Commission may well live up to their promise to ensure equal air time and column inches for all candidates during the period of the election campaign (this legal requirement was respected during the September 19th 2004 parliamentary elections), steps to ensure balanced television coverage at other times also would be extremely welcome.

18. Uniquely for a Central Asian state, Kazakhstan has made substantial progress toward building democracy while maintaining stability and promoting ethnic and religious tolerance, and in some areas such progress has been remarkable. We would do well to remember, however, that key players in the political process are the products of a wholly different tradition and are necessarily inexperienced in the ways of democracy, while the institutions they have created are far from fully developed.

19. We believe that the forthcoming Presidential election provides the opportunity for all candidates, political parties and election officials to strengthen the country's democratic base and develop a brand of popular democracy that reflects Kazakhstan's unique history, culture and political tradition. The legal and administrative framework that has been put in place is, in our view, adequate for this purpose and should enable them to rise to this challenge.

24 October 2005

OSCE to monitor presidential election in Kazakhstan

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has deployed an observation mission to monitor presidential elections in Kazakhstan on December 4. The mission, comprising more than 40 observers, has been sent by the OSCE's Warsaw-based Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

Audrey Glover, head of the mission met with Onalsyn Zhumabekov, Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan on October 17. At the meeting Mr Zhumabekov introduced members of the OSCE observation mission with Kazakhstan electoral legislation and with the ongoing presidential campaign. CEC's Chairman assured that election commissions of all levels will assist to the observation mission in organising of their effective and objective monitoring of the election campaign and provide all necessary information for their work. Both sides expressed their readiness for cooperation during the whole electoral process.

According to ODIHR, a core team of 13 international election experts will be based at the mission's offices in the capital Astana and Almaty, with an additional 30 long-term observers deployed throughout the country.

The mission, drawn from 19 OSCE participating states, will closely observe and analyse all aspects of the electoral process, including candidate registration and campaigning, election administration, preparations for electronic voting, the media and the legal framework, as well as the complaints and appeals procedures, a statement from ODIHR said.

For election day, Europe's largest security and cooperation organisation has requested 400 short-term observers, who will be joined by a delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The observers will monitor voting, counting and tabulation of results, including the use of information technology.

''Sailau'' balloting system ready to operate, says specialists

On October 18 specialists of the Engineering and Technical Centre of the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan carried out a briefing for journalists during which they informed of how to apply the electronic balloting system ''Sailau''.

The specialists offered an updated type of the system. In the course of the election the electronic card of voters and electronic sensor screen will be applied instead of the terminal reading off the bar code.

The specialists demonstrated the operation of the device. They say the ''Sailau'' system has developed in conformance with the electoral legislation and excludes the possibility of repeating votes.

Kazakh media adopts charter on fair election coverage

The Kazakh mass media have adopted a charter committing themselves to fair and unbiased coverage of presidential election campaigning, thereby promoting open and honest elections and refusing from publishing slander material or deliberately false information about candidates.

The following is the text of the charter entitled "For honest elections".

''We have come close to another landmark presidential election, the outcome of which will determine our future. The quality of the election process, its transparency and fairness are the guarantees that the choice will be made correctly. We want a worthy future for ourselves and for our children, and we are confident that free elections are leading us in this direction.

Meanwhile, vilifying smear wars have become a bad "electoral tradition" for all post-Soviet countries. We are convinced that these tactics are destructive in their principle and are not of use to anyone the smear wars undermine the very idea of elections by slandering everybody and creating a feeling of uselessness and a deadlock.

By signing this charter and adhering to its norms, we can become a serious obstacle to those who want to play the negative side only, by following the easy way of slandering rivals and digging out imaginary dark secrets from the past. By refusing to follow and encourage politicians like this, we can create tougher rules of the game on the political arena: each presidential contender should carry positive convictions, creative ideas and confidently demonstrate this by using appropriate methods.

We believe that solving these issues requires great devotion and reveals to a larger degree a candidate's potential and his or her real value for our future and, therefore, we undertake obligations to abide by the following norms:

- to prevent another spiral of escalating "dirty" political techniques and smear wars;

- to promote free, honest and fair elections based on the principles of openness and respect for all the participants of the election process;

- to fulfil our professional activity in accordance with the existing legislation and moral and ethical norms of a civic society;

- to provide equal opportunities to all candidates to express their views;

- to prevent the spreading of deliberately false information defaming honour and dignity of candidates in the process of election campaigning;

- to oppose the use of election technologies in the interests of political extremist groups as well as representatives of the criminal world;

- to follow the principle "It is voters who make their choice. The mass media merely give facts rather than impose opinions and assessments."

We believe that the more unbiased the mass media are, the easier it will be for all of us to choose a worthy leader and to create the future the way we see it in our best dreams and aspirations.

We are convinced that this position will allow us to demonstrate in action our respect for the most important ideals and values freedom, democracy, right to choose for which a lot of sacrifice has been made.

We believe that in this way we can make our contribution to the development of a sovereign and successful Kazakhstan.''

The charter is adopted by: ''Aykyn'', ''Altyn Orda'', ''Argumenty i fakty Kazakhstan'', ''Biznes i vlast'', ''Yegemen Kazakhstan'', ''Zhas Kazakh'', ''Izvestiya Kazakhstan'', ''Kazakhstanskaya Pravda'', ''Komsomolskaya Pravda v Kazakhstane'', ''Liter'', ''Megapolis'', ''Rauan media group'', ''Astana TV channel'', ''31 kanal TV channel'', ''Kazakhstan TV channel'', ''KTK TV channel'', ''NTK TV channel'', ''Rakhat-TV channel'', ''Tan TV channel'', ''Turkistan'', ''Ekspress-K'' and ''Khabar information agency''.

20 October 2005

Presidential Election Campaign

Kazakhstan’s next presidential election, set for December 4, is just weeks away. It will be an important milestone in Kazakhstan’s history with implications for the future and the wider region.

In September 2005, Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev declared his commitment to ensuring the upcoming election would be “free, fair and transparent.” U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, on a visit to Astana earlier in October, said “with the presidential election in December, Kazakhstan has an unprecedented opportunity to lead Central Asia toward a future of democracy and to elevate U.S.-Kazakhstan relations to a new level.”

October 25 will mark the official opening of the campaign. The election promises to be a lively one. Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission has already registered two candidates who met all the requirements, many more are expected. Mr. Nazarbayev and Mr. Zharmakhan Tuyakbai, the leader of For a Fair Kazakhstan political movement, are already set for the ballot. Eleven other potential candidates are getting their documents in order including the collection of nominating signatures. Each candidate will need the signatures of no less than one percent of all registered voters in the country.

The 55 member Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has set up an office in Astana with a staff of 43 long term observers. Four hundred more observers from the OSCE will come to Kazakhstan for Election Day. Thousands of local observers, many from NGOs, will also monitor the election.

17 October 2005

CEC appeals to conduct fair and transparent elections

On October 11 the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan made the following statement:

“STATEMENT OF APPEAL

of the Central Election Commission to all candidates running for President of Kazakhstan, candidates’ election headquarters, political parties and public associations, state bodies, mass media and all participants of the election campaign in Kazakhstan.

Based on the Constitutional provisions, Constitutional Law “On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan” and the President’s decree of September 9, 2005 No1643 “On measures for realisation of election rights of citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan” and aiming at conducting fair and transparent elections of President of Kazakhstan the Central Election Commission (CEC) declares:

1) State bodies and candidates for presidency have to take obligation to use only peaceful, lawful, non-violent methods to reach their political goals during election campaign, in the process of voting and counting of votes as well as after summing up the results of the elections;

2) Candidates’ election headquarters have to take obligations in presenting and explaining to the voters the candidates’ political platforms to use traditional democratic means of pre-election campaigning such as TV programmes, advertisement, individual campaigning, rallies and demonstrations within the framework of rules set by laws;

3) The State guarantees that public TV channels and print mass media will provide to all candidates an allocated time to present their programmes and will objectively cover all pre-election activities in the context of their news programmes. State bodies will facilitate public debates on matters of elections and will ensure that all political parties and public associations which nominated their candidates for presidency have opportunity to publish newspapers and campaigning materials in compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

4) Candidates’ election headquarters have to take obligations to duly submit applications for getting permission to hold rallies and inviolately obey the law in this respect;

5) State bodies have to ensure freedom of holding lawful, non-violent rallies and give respective permissions to hold the rallies, without discrimination neither against the current country’s leadership nor against other candidates for presidency, in the same places and at different times and days;

6) The State will provide for participation of representatives of political parties in the territorial and district election commissions;

7) The State will provide for timely (within 24 hours) data on election results as per all districts and regions and will publish it in Internet;

8) State bodies will provide in advance an opportunity to all interested to get acquainted with the lists of voters and will conduct public awareness campaign among voters calling upon them to check whether they were correctly entered in the voting lists;

9) The State welcomes participation of foreign observers (particularly from the OSCE) and local observers in the elections;

10) Relevant state bodies will ensure to bring to responsibility administrative officials of central and local state bodies for breaching the election legislation;

11) Participants of the election campaign should commit to conduct their campaigns in an appropriate and substantial manner and refrain from personal/personified accusations and maltreatment (verbal attacking and bullying).”

OSCE sends 400-plus observers to Kazakh presidential election

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is set to send more than 400 observers to the presidential elections in Kazakhstan in early December, the chairman of the Kazakh Central Election Commission said on Friday.

"The OSCE intends to send many observers, namely 436, to the elections of our president," Onalsyn Zhumabekov said.

The OSCE is highly interested in the presidential elections and is asking all its 55 member-states to send Russian-speaking observers to Kazakhstan, he added.

10 October 2005

Registration of Kazakh presidential candidates starts

The second stage of campaign for presidential election - registration of candidates - started on 4 October. The nomination of presidential candidates ended at 2400 local time [1800 gmt] on 3 October.

Election officials have given the green light to 12 candidates to compete in the December presidential elections.

A total of 17 were nominated, but only 12 were found eligible to run in the Dec. 4 election, the Central Electoral Commission said. The five rejected candidates had all failed the Kazakh language test.

Under Kazakh law, a citizen no younger than 40, having good command of the state language, living in Kazakhstan for at least the past 15 years and having the right to elect, can be elected as Kazakh president.

Those lacking dispositive legal capacity on judicial decision or prison inmates have no right to be elected.

Kazakhstan CEC Chairman met with heads of foreign diplomatic missions

The Chairman of the Kazakhstan Central Electoral Commission Mr Onalsyn Zhumabekov met with heads of foreign diplomatic missions, representatives of the international organizations and foreign journalists, accredited in Kazakhstan. During the meeting Mr Zhumabekov presented the main provisions of the Constitution, Constitutional Law “On elections in Kazakhstan” and amendments to electoral legislation, passed in 2004 and 2005.

The head of the CEC noted that current electoral legislation of Kazakhstan meets the requirements of international standards of democratic elections, determined in the Document of the Copenhagen Session of OSCE Human Dimension Conference, 1990.

29 September 2005

OSCE Media Freedom Representative Will Visit Kazakhstan

Miklos Haraszti, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, plans to visit Kazakhstan in October for meetings with senior government officials as the country approaches the December 4 presidential election.

According to the OSCE Almaty Office, Haraszti also sent a legal review of the draft media law of Kazakhstan to the Congress of Journalists of Kazakhstan, a nongovernmental organization uniting editors and reporters from major news outlets.

In the review, he offered recommendations on how to improve the draft and expressed hope that his views will be taken into account by the Congress and by Kazakhstan’s Parliament which is expected to discuss the draft in the coming days.

“The new law can help improve media freedom in Kazakhstan and provide for better protection of journalists’ rights,” Haraszti said. The OSCE representative has been involved in the news media legislation review process in Kazakhstan for several years.

During his visit, Haraszti will also open the Seventh Central Asian Media Conference in Almaty, which is expected to bring together journalists from across the region.

Major News Media Sign Clean Election Charter

Representatives of Kazakhstan’s news media outlets gathered together in Astana have signed a charter calling for clean elections.

Those signing included several radio, television as well as print news media.

The charter, “For Clean Election”, states: “The choice is with the voter. News media are there just to give facts, and not impose opinions.”

In the charter, the signatories said “we believe the more objective the news media, the easier it would be for all of us to elect a decent leader.”

The presidential campaing for December 4 election is gathering speed.

22 September 2005

Nine Candidates Stand for President

A total of nine people are currently running for President of Kazakhstan in election now set for December 4.

As of September 22, all of them passed a Kazakh language exam required by law and administered by the Central Election Commission The exam assures candidates’ full use of the state language of Kazakhstan. All nine are men.

A total of twelve candidates submitted their documents for registration. One woman candidate, Maya Karamayeva, failed the language exam and could not be registered as a candidate. Two more candidates are still waiting to pass the exam, one of them is a woman.

Candidates include the incumbent President, Nursultan Nazarbayev; Majilisman Yerassyl Abylkassymov, member of the Communist National People’s Party; Zhaksybai Bazilbayev, leader of Alfa public movement; Mels Eleusizov, leader of the Tabigat environmental organization; Senator Ualikhan Kaisarov; Salim Oten, president of a private firm; Baltabai Rakhimzhanov, President of KazAgro, the National Farmers Association, and Zharmakhan Tuyakbai, Chairman of For Fair Kazakhstan, the Bloc of Democratic Forces.

Nomination of candidates will be open until October 3.

16 September 2005

President Nazarbayev Calls for Free and Transparent Elections As Key to Continued Economic and Democratic Development

President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced a major program of continued economic and political reforms designed to speed up Kazakhstan’s modernization, and confirmed a commitment to holding of a free, fair and transparent presidential election on December 4, 2005.

Speaking at the opening of the Parliamentary session in Astana on September 1, President Nazarbayev said “our strategy and the major issue of expediting Kazakhstan’s development is a harmonious combination of economic, social and democratic changes.”

He noted, “Based on the solid foundation of a modern and competitive economy, Kazakhstan is working to build an open, democratic and prosperous society of free people, a state ruled by law, and a respected and responsible member of the international community. We are building a state which fully embraces major traits and traditions of our interethnic and inter-religious society.”

In order to continue modernizing Kazakhstan’s economy, which grew 75 percent over the past seven years, plans for the nearest future include diversification of the economy, support for small and medium sized businesses and the country’s membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Democracy Building is Hard Work

The President called for continued strengthening of democracy in Kazakhstan and invited the entire society to join in the process of growth.

Major reforms will include development of local self-government and delimitation of authority between central and local governments, including the adoption of a special law on reforms in 2006 and the introduction of elections for akims (mayors and governors) as the logical conclusion to the decentralization of power; strengthening the rights and powers of the national Parliament and its participation in forming the Government and other official bodies, as well as possibly increasing the numbers of members of the Majilis and Senate; plus, continued strengthening of the role of political parties and nongovernmental organizations.

Ensuring rights and freedoms is a critical element and will include greater protection for citizens during trials, strengthening the independence of the judicial branch, and the introduction of jury trials. Fighting corruption will be another major priority, and the President has called for a “multi-layered national anti-corruption system” including changes in law, establishment of “one stop” service centers for citizens, ensuring transparency in the privatization processes and the activities of state owned and private companies.

The President said this program “needs to undergo the scrutiny of the people and be supported by the majority. We also need to take into account the experience and advice of our friends from developed democracies. Major hard work awaits us.”

To ensure society’s participation in the development of this program, the President intends to chair the State Commission which will include members of Parliament, representatives from the Presidential Administration, the Government, political parties, public associations and NGOs. The Commission will have to offer concrete proposals by June 2006.

President Nazarbayev acknowledged challenges Kazakhstan will face as it moves toward greater democracy, and confirmed his strong commitment to walk this path to its end: “Indeed, we do not have established democratic traditions, and we will move forward through trials and mistakes. This will not be an easy path. We know that. We must carry out these complex historical changes in the hope that we will bring the people of Kazakhstan even closer together for the sake of our common future.”

Free, Fair and Transparent Election a Must

Speaking to Parliament on September 1, President Nazarbayev announced he “will do everything that is needed to ensure the upcoming election is absolutely free, fair and transparent, and its result does not leave even a hint of doubt with the people of Kazakhstan or the international community.”

These words were buttressed by real action on September 9, just two days after the Majilis had established the date of the next presidential election as December 4, when the President signed a special decree providing additional measures to ensure the fairness of the election.

Speaking at the Otan party congress on September 9, the President said “the Decree sends strict directives to state authorities about the need to ensure the upcoming election for the President of Kazakhstan is held correctly. Special attention is given to strengthening the prosecutorial oversight over compliance with election legislation; timely compilation and verification of voter registration lists; ensuring equal access of candidates to news media during the campaign; accreditation of observers from foreign countries and international organizations, as well as foreign news media who are coming to our country for the upcoming election.”

The head of state called on all political forces in Kazakhstan to establish a Public Control committee of influential public figures to oversee the election campaign. Public control needs to work in an open format and ensure full compliance with law at all levels.

“In the upcoming election, we must clearly follow the course toward democratic development. We must clearly understand that retreat from democratic principles is a withdrawal from the universal trends, in other words, a deadend,” the President concluded.

According to the Central Election Commission, the election campaign has already started in earnest. Today, Senator Ualikhan Kaisarov, self-nominated; incumbent President Nazarbayev nominated by the Otan party; Zharmakhan Tuyakbai, Chairman of the For Fair Kazakhstan, the Bloc of Democratic Forces; Salim Oten, president of a private firm, self-nominated; and Mels Eleusizov, the leader of Tabigat environmental organization; have thrown their hats in the ring.

Strengthening Middle Class and Private Property Protection Are Priorities

The continued building of democracy in Kazakhstan and the success of economic and, especially, political reforms, depend on the growth of the emerging middle class.

Currently, 85 percent of industrial production is produced by the private sector which employs 60 percent of Kazakhstan’s workforce.

Kazakhstan wants to strengthen the idea of private property and guarantee the sanctity of contracts. President Nazarbayev told Parliament, “Our major issue is to ensure the irreversible and stable development of the middle class who own property and recognize their stake in society.” A single law will be adopted regulating entrepreneurial activity, and efforts to nurture respect for private property and contractual relationships will be made.

Modern Education Crucial

The crucial ingredient determining the ultimate success of Kazakhstan’s modernization drive is modern education, and the Government is eager to support this sphere.

As of this year, three thousand of the best students from Kazakhstan have a chance for education at the leading universities of the world under the Bolashak (Future) presidential scholarship. Efforts are being made to improve the quality of education at Kazakhstan’s own universities, such as the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economy and Prognosis, and the Kazakhstan-British Technical University, both of which already meet international standards. To support this effort, Kazakhstan is appropriating money for hiring of foreign professors to teach at key universities.

President Nazarbayev believes Kazakhstan needs its own national management school. “We must have a well thought out system of training the country’s future leaders, similar to Harvard or West Point. That is why the state is allocating more resources to provide our country with managers offering modern and global thinking and able to enrich the economy with new knowledge.”

In 2005, education appropriations expanded by a quarter compared to 2004, reaching 3.9 percent of gross domestic product.

The Government also intends to encourage large companies to invest in human resources. All of this is “just the beginning of a comprehensive program of radical reforms of education and professional training in our country in line with 21st Century requirements,” the President noted.

He is convinced the country is on the right track: “Many people who left the country in the 1990s are coming back and are staying for good, and this is significant. The most important task now is to preserve these rhythms of progress in the economy, political and social sphere, and the expansion of democracy. We are looking to Kazakhstan’s future with optimism.”

Kazakhstan Determined to Seek OSCE Chairmanship

The President has confirmed Kazakhstan’s determination to seek the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2009. It will be an “expression of our consistent course toward expedited economic, social and political modernization and of our responsible approach to international and regional stability, security and progress,” he explained.

“I view our bid to chair the OSCE as a systemic task which meets Kazakhstan’s internal and external political goals, and importantly, corresponds to the strengthening and development of the OSCE in the 21st Century… Kazakhstan is determined to confirm its obligations as an active participant of the integration processes in the OSCE,” the President said.

He called on Parliament to quickly ratify the fundamental documents in the area of protection of rights and freedoms, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The President has called it a priority, and reminded Parliament that his decree of Kazakhstan’s accession to the covenants was issued in 2003.

President Nazarbayev believes Kazakhstan’s experience in strengthening tolerance, peace, stability, and inter-religious and interethnic accord in a society with both European and Asian traditions, will enrich the OSCE’s understanding of diversity in the modern world and the many ways of building an open and democratic society.

September 7, 2005

Presidential Election Set for December 4

The Majilis, lower chamber of the Parliament, has called the next presidential election for December 4, 2005, officially announcing the start of the election race.

“The decision was made by a unanimous vote,” Majilis Chairman Ural Mukhamedzhanov said on September 7, referring to “yes” votes from all 67 members of the Majilis.

Nomination of candidates will take place during the first month of the three months long election campaign. The campaign itself will have to conclude one day before the election.

The incumbent President Nursultan Nazarbayev, and Zharmakhan Tuyakbai, an opposition leader, have already announced they will run for the presidency. The presidential term is seven years.

Speaking at the opening of the Parliament’s fall session earlier this month, President Nazarbayev declared he “will do everything needed to make sure the upcoming election are absolutely free, fair and transparent, and its result does not leave even a hint of doubt with both the people of Kazakhstan and the international community.”

Kazakhstan has already announced it will welcome foreign observers to the election, including observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

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* The heading complies with the editing of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan as of May 6, 1999, No 375-1 of the Law of the RoK; the preamble is excluded by the same Law.  

General Part

The present Constitutional Law regulates the relations arising during preparation and holding of the Presidential elections, elections of the Senate and Mazhilis deputies of the Parliament, deputies of maslikhats and members of the local government bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as stipulates the guaranties ensuring freedom of declaration of their will by the citizens of the RoK.

full text in downloadable file