Kazakhstan’s officials learn about best practices in election administration during OSCE-supported study visit to Finland

The OSCE Programme Office in Astana and Finland’s Foreign Ministry organized a study tour to Helsinki for four members of Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) from 12 to 16 October 2015, with the aim of acquainting them with the institutional and legal framework of Finland’s election system and its election administration.

The delegation learned from their Finnish counterparts about best practices in elections management, the formation of election commissions as well as the protection and promotion of the rights of vulnerable citizens and voters with special needs. They also discussed various issues related to the handling of complaints, dispute resolution, the use of social media as well as media coverage during the election campaign.

Specific attention was paid to the gender-sensitive aspects of electoral rights from the angle of both female voters and candidates, electoral prospects of small political entities representing a minority community and linguistic matters.

The delegation met with representatives of the Foreign and Justice Ministries in charge of elections administration, the Parliamentary Ombudsman, members of the Supreme Administrative Court and political parties, both big and small, , as well as with journalists from the Finnish National Broadcasting Company. During their visit to the Finnish Parliament, the CEC members discussed key concepts related to election legislation with parliamentarians as well as observed a plenary session.

The study visit was also supported by Finnish Embassy in Astana and Kazakhstan’s Embassy in Helsinki.

The event is part of the Office’s multi-year efforts to enhance the transparency and accountability of electoral procedures and strengthen democratic institutions in line with OSCE principles and commitments.