The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Mission, which conducted intl election observation during the elections of deputies to the Kurultai of Kazakhstan, highly commended the organisation and openness of the electoral process. The observers made the statement at a briefing held at the Centre for Assistance to International Observers, El.kz reports.
According to SCO Deputy Secretary-General T.R. Midhun, the invitation extended to intl observers demonstrates Kazakhstan’s commitment to conducting the elections to the Kurultai in an open and transparent manner and in accordance with the principles of transparency.
Members of the Mission arrived at polling stations before they opened and observed the preparation of ballot papers and the arrangements made to ensure the necessary conditions for voting.
Observation was conducted in Astana and Akmola region. On the eve of the elections and on election day, representatives of the Mission visited 102 polling stations.
SCO Mission
According to T.R. Midhun, the Mission noted the civic engagement of voters and the professionalism of members of Precinct Election Commissions. He emphasised that the commissions had put in place all necessary conditions for the conduct of the elections.
“All necessary documents, information and reference materials, observer registration logs, duty rosters and other relevant documents were made available in full at the polling stations,” he said.
The Mission also noted the active participation of women and young people on election day. According to the observers, voting at the polling stations proceeded calmly and in an orderly manner, with full compliance with the established procedures and requirements.
T.R. Midhun noted that the Mission had received no complaints or comments on election day. The Mission assessed the elections of deputies to the Kurultai as open, credible and democratic.
Chairperson of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus on Education, Science, Culture and Social Development Natalia Pavlyuchenko also gave a high assessment of the organisation of the elections.
According to her, members of the SCO Mission visited polling stations both on the eve of the elections and on election day, assessing the conditions provided for voters and the level of preparedness of the polling stations.
A member of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation Alena Bulgakova drew particular attention to the transparency and openness of the electoral process.
She noted that members of election commissions conducted door-to-door outreach to citizens, explaining the voting procedures and forthcoming changes to the system of public administration.
In conclusion, representatives of the Mission congratulated the people of Kazakhstan on the successful conduct of the elections to the Kurultai.
