International observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said on Monday that Sunday’s parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan, won by the ruling Adilet party, were technically well organized but lacked political pluralism.
The OSCE noted that voters faced few alternatives, as all contesting parties support the policies of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who has been in power since 2019.
According to the report presented today at a press conference by the mission heads, the election campaign was conducted in an orderly manner, although the winning Adilet party enjoyed an “undue advantage.”
The OSCE reported that the media provided scarce editorial and analytical coverage of the elections, which reduced voters’ ability to make an informed choice.
Additionally, the organization criticized pressure on independent journalists that generated “pervasive self-censorship.”
“The elimination of the right to stand independently and the rule that candidates for the new 145-member Kurultai (unicameral parliament) could only be nominated by political parties from their members limited political participation and electoral competitiveness,” the report said.
The document highlighted that the election winner, Adilet, recently merged with the former ruling party Amanat and dominated the campaign. As a result of the merger, it benefited from the organizational structures and resources inherited from the party formerly known as Nur Otan.
At the same time, the OSCE noted that the election authorities enjoyed the confidence of the participating parties, conducted an extensive voter information campaign, and made significant efforts to ensure easy access to polling stations and facilitate participation for people with disabilities.
Adilet secures parliamentary majority
According to initial official data, the Kazakh ruling party Adilet secured a parliamentary majority with 71.17% of the vote in the elections for the new Kazakh unicameral parliament.
Furthermore, four other parties crossed the 5% electoral threshold: Auyl, with 6.26% of the vote; Respublica, with 5.56%; the Democratic Party of Kazakhstan “Ak Zhol” (5.21%); and the National Social Democratic Party (5.11%). EFE