Kazakhstan’s Early Parliamentary Elections Technically Well Prepared but Lacking Political Pluralism, OSCE Observers Find

Media-Society.com // ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s early parliamentary elections on 23 August were technically well prepared and generally calm and orderly, but were held in an environment lacking political pluralism and a level playing field consistent with OSCE commitments, international observers from the OSCE/ODIHR concluded on 24 August.

The vote, which elected a new 145-member Kurultai, followed what ODIHR described as a constitutional reset of the country’s electoral framework. Yet the observers found that the changes delivered few genuine opportunities for independent candidacies, limited space for civil society and independent media, and persistent inequality for women in political life. The elimination of the right to stand independently — candidates could only be nominated by political parties from their own membership — combined with rules giving parties broad discretion over the allocation of mandates, was assessed as contrary to OSCE commitments and international standards.

“After undertaking a constitutional reset of its electoral framework, Kazakhstan has held elections that provided an opportunity to see whether these changes opened space for healthy political competition,” said Gábor Hajdu, OSCE Special Co-ordinator and leader of the short-term observers. “Despite some positive aspects, however, there are few genuine opportunities for independent candidacies, limited space for civil society and independent media, and a lack of a level playing field consistent with OSCE commitments, including for women.”

ODIHR found that the newly registered Adilet party, which merged with the former ruling Amanat party, dominated the campaign and benefited from inherited organizational structures, networks and resources, enjoying an undue advantage that blurred the line between state and party. Observers received credible reports of the misuse of public resources, including the involvement of public sector employees in mobilizing attendance at campaign events.

On election day itself, while opening and voting were assessed as overwhelmingly in line with procedures, the mission’s statement of preliminary findings noted marked differences between voter activity observed and official turnout data, as well as significant procedural violations during the vote count, raising questions about the integrity of turnout reporting and the counting process.

Media coverage was another key concern. ODIHR’s monitoring showed that broadcasters and online media provided limited reporting on campaign activities, with no analytical or editorial coverage, while the combined coverage of all seven contestants was roughly 35 per cent — less than the 65 per cent devoted to government officials, the President and other public authorities. “Free and fair elections and independent media are deeply interconnected,” said Sevilay Çelenk, Head of the PACE observer delegation. “Without an inclusive, credible and pluralistic media environment, political participation and representation are fundamentally limited.”

The mission deployed 206 ODIHR observers alongside a 68-member OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation and a 23-member PACE delegation, observing voting in 1,327 polling stations across the country. This was the 16th election ODIHR has observed in Kazakhstan; the full election file, including the interim report and preliminary findings, is available on the ODIHR elections page, and a comprehensive final report with recommendations is expected in the coming months.