Newsroom
Third "Round Table on Elections" completes its work in Kazakhstan
ALMATY 13 June 2001
ALMATY, 13 June 2001 (OSCE) - On 11 June, the third "Round Table on Elections" took place in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The aim of the "Round Table on Elections" process is to discuss ways and means of improving the election legislation by implementing the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations contained in the Final Report on the October 1999 Parliamentary Elections in Kazakhstan.
The third in a series of four planned Round Tables focused upon sanctions and remedies for violations of election legislation, and electoral dispute resolution procedures. An OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) expert presented for discussion a "Review of the Election Legislation for Election Disputes, Appeals and Penalties in Kazakhstan." Participants expressed appreciation for this comprehensive analysis of the current dispute resolution framework and agreed to consider the recommendations presented.
The participants also discussed the draft "Summary Table of Proposed Amendments to the Law on Elections" prepared within the framework of the RT process. It was agreed that this working document will include all proposals put forth by political parties. A group of parliamentary deputies involved in the RT process agreed to introduce the amendments into the Parliament on behalf of the participants and on the basis of the Summary Table. They also agreed that the "Law on Elections" would not be amended before the end of the RT process in September 2001.
The ODIHR announced that it reserved judgement on the outcome of the RT process and intends to review at an appropriate stage in the legislative process the actual amendments to the "Law on Elections" in light of OSCE commitments. The OSCE also supported a call by several participants to link the conclusion of the RT process to similar processes on other issues important to the democratic development of Kazakhstan- such as local self-government and political party legislation.
The Vice President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. Ihor Ostash, acted as moderator of the Round Table. Representatives of the ODIHR and the OSCE Centre in Almaty also participated in the process. The Deputy Speaker of the Senate, Mr. Omirbek Baigeldi, and Mrs. Zagipa Balieva, the Chair of the Central Election Commission, headed the Government of Kazakhstan delegation to the discussions. Representatives of international organizations active in the field of elections and representatives of Embassies accredited in Kazakhstan participated in the Round Table as observers.
The "Round Table on Elections" process brings together representatives of the Parliament, various government ministries and agencies, and civil society, including those political parties not represented in the Parliament. The fourth Round Table scheduled for September 2001 will be devoted to the role of the media in an election process, including the importance of a code of conduct.
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For more information please contact the OSCE Centre in Almaty, tel.: +732 72 621 762, e-mail osce@nursat.kz.
The third in a series of four planned Round Tables focused upon sanctions and remedies for violations of election legislation, and electoral dispute resolution procedures. An OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) expert presented for discussion a "Review of the Election Legislation for Election Disputes, Appeals and Penalties in Kazakhstan." Participants expressed appreciation for this comprehensive analysis of the current dispute resolution framework and agreed to consider the recommendations presented.
The participants also discussed the draft "Summary Table of Proposed Amendments to the Law on Elections" prepared within the framework of the RT process. It was agreed that this working document will include all proposals put forth by political parties. A group of parliamentary deputies involved in the RT process agreed to introduce the amendments into the Parliament on behalf of the participants and on the basis of the Summary Table. They also agreed that the "Law on Elections" would not be amended before the end of the RT process in September 2001.
The ODIHR announced that it reserved judgement on the outcome of the RT process and intends to review at an appropriate stage in the legislative process the actual amendments to the "Law on Elections" in light of OSCE commitments. The OSCE also supported a call by several participants to link the conclusion of the RT process to similar processes on other issues important to the democratic development of Kazakhstan- such as local self-government and political party legislation.
The Vice President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. Ihor Ostash, acted as moderator of the Round Table. Representatives of the ODIHR and the OSCE Centre in Almaty also participated in the process. The Deputy Speaker of the Senate, Mr. Omirbek Baigeldi, and Mrs. Zagipa Balieva, the Chair of the Central Election Commission, headed the Government of Kazakhstan delegation to the discussions. Representatives of international organizations active in the field of elections and representatives of Embassies accredited in Kazakhstan participated in the Round Table as observers.
The "Round Table on Elections" process brings together representatives of the Parliament, various government ministries and agencies, and civil society, including those political parties not represented in the Parliament. The fourth Round Table scheduled for September 2001 will be devoted to the role of the media in an election process, including the importance of a code of conduct.
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For more information please contact the OSCE Centre in Almaty, tel.: +732 72 621 762, e-mail osce@nursat.kz.