OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to observe Kazakhstan’s early presidential election

COPENHAGEN, 29 May 2019 – Some 50 OSCE parliamentarians from 23 countries will deploy to Kazakhstan for the 9 June early presidential election.

OSCE PA President George Tsereteli (MP, Georgia) will serve as Special Co-ordinator and leader of the short-term OSCE observer mission, following an appointment by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak. Tsereteli has led a number of observer missions in the past, including to Ukraine, Moldova, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

“Coming after the unexpected resignation of long-serving President Nursultan Nazarbayev, this election marks a pivotal moment for the people of Kazakhstan,” Tsereteli said. “The conduct of this election is therefore important for voters’ overall confidence in the electoral system.”

Margareta Kiener Nellen (MP, Switzerland) will serve as Head of the OSCE PA observer mission to the election in Kazakhstan.

“The large number of OSCE parliamentarians participating in this election observation mission is a testament to the importance we attach to Kazakhstan’s democratic development,” Kiener Nellen said. “We look forward to observing the election and offering a full and impartial assessment.”

Kiener Nellen serves as the Head of Switzerland’s Delegation to the OSCE PA and is Chair of the OSCE PA’s human rights committee. Last year, she headed the OSCE PA’s delegation of election observers to Azerbaijan.

This is the tenth time the OSCE PA has sent election observation missions to Kazakhstan. The PA’s observation activity in Kazakhstan dates back to 1994. For the 9 June election, the OSCE PA will work closely in Kazakhstan with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. Observers will assess the election against commitments contained in the 1990 OSCE Copenhagen Document and will present their findings at a press conference in Nur-Sultan on 10 June.