Brussels, 28/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - Taking note of the preliminary findings and conclusions of the OSCE international election observation mission on the presidential elections of 26 April in Kazakhstan, the European Union stated on Monday 27 April that these elections had not been fair and called on Kazakhstan to make reforms.
In the EU's view, it is important for Kazakhstan to respond to any recommendations that the OSCE final report contains. “Kazakh authorities need to effectively address” the shortcomings, restrictions and irregularities observed by the OSCE. “This should be done before the legislative elections in 2016, in order to ensure that they are in line with international standards”, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said in a press release. According to this spokesperson, the Kazakh authorities also need to enhance their efforts to honour their international commitments regarding democratic principles and human rights. “Kazakhstan is a key partner for the EU, and we stand ready to continue our support to the implementation of further reforms to strengthen democracy in Kazakhstan”, Mogherini's spokesperson added.
In her press release, Mogherini's spokesperson said that “voters were not offered a genuine choice between political alternatives”. The spokesperson also underlined “significant restrictions to the freedom of expression, as well as to the media environment and undue restrictions on suffrage right”. The OSCE mission stated that serious procedural deficiencies and irregularities were noted throughout the voting, counting and tabulation processes, Mogherini's spokesperson added.
The OSCE nevertheless noted that the election preparations were administered efficiently, that all electoral deadlines were met and that commissions at all levels were open to observers and media. Over 1,000 international observers monitored the voting.
President Nursultan Nazarbayev was elected for a fifth mandate with 97.7% of the votes, in the face of two other candidates. The voter turnout rate was 95%. Nazarbayev has been in power since 1991. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)