OSCE/ODIHR report on Kazakhstan’s parliamentary elections recommends comprehensive review of legal framework to bring it closer in line with OSCE commitments
Noting that Kazakhstan still has a considerable way to go in meeting its OSCE commitments for democratic elections, the final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the 20 March early parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan recommends that the legal framework be comprehensively reviewed to bring it closer in line with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards, as well as to address past and present OSCE/ODIHR electoral assessments and recommendations.
The report, published on 27 June 2016, notes that the constitutional framework for elections continues to be at odds with international standards and Kazakhstan’s commitments to democratic elections, recommending that all seats in at least one chamber of the parliament are freely contested in a popular vote, also with a view to fully protect the equality of the vote.
While the report states that elections were efficiently organized, it recommends that the law should be amended and clarified to effectively guarantee equitable representation of contesting political parties in election commissions. In addition, it recommends creating a centralized system to directly exchange and correct data in the nationwide voter register in a timely manner.
Noting that on election day serious procedural errors and irregularities were observed during voting, counting and tabulation, the report recommends that effective measures be taken to prevent serious violations and improve the integrity of the election day procedures and guarantee the equality of the vote.
Citing that any contestant-related campaign information outside of daily news reports was to be paid for by the party, the report notes that the legal framework could be revised to allow broadcasters to decide on the format and conditions of election-related programming for a better balance between the paid-for contestant-related information and comprehensive and meaningful election media reporting.
The report also recommends that the election law requires all matters of a dispute nature to be treated as a complaint;,explicitly sets out procedures for the consideration of complaints and that all disputes be reviewed in a collegial manner and that decisions be written, reasoned and made public.
Additional recommendations relate to citizen observers – the right to observe the entire electoral process and clearly stipulate that all observers be entitled to Territorial Election Commission and Regional Election Commission result protocols with detailed summary tables, allowing independent candidates to stand for elections, and adopting temporary special measures to enhance participation of women.