Newsroom
OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission to be deployed to Kazakhstan
WARSAW 2 September 1999
WARSAW, 2 September 1999 - The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) has decided to establish an Election Observation Mission in Kazakhstan for the 10 October 1999 Election of Deputies to the Majilis. Linda Edgeworth from the USA will head the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission.
The deployment of the Election Observation Mission by the OSCE/ODIHR does not, in and of itself or a priori, add legitimacy to the election process. Nor does it imply endorsement of the legal framework, administrative practices or the political environment in which the election is being conducted. Rather, an OSCE/ODIHR observation mission is intended to provide an impartial assessment of the electoral process and an evaluation of the degree to which Kazakhstan complies with internationally accepted standards, in particular the standards set in the OSCE Copenhagen Document of 1990.
In January 1999, concerned with the Kazakh authorities' refusal to register two opposition candidates and other shortcomings of the electoral framework, the OSCE/ODIHR declined to observe the presidential elections, instead deploying a "limited assessment mission." A number of legal and procedural changes have been made to the election system since that time. Improved procedures have also been introduced to provide additional safeguards to ensure access by observers to election commissions at all levels and an accurate reporting of the results. Notwithstanding other concerns with the legal framework, monitoring the actual implementation of these improvements will be important.
More significantly, serious concerns about the media and political environment remain. Nonetheless, more than 10 political parties, including those in the opposition, have been registered and will be able to field candidates for the elections. Some opposition candidates and alternative media representatives have already faced harassment and intimidation. Monitoring such abuses will be the primary focus of the Observation Mission.
The Election Observation Mission will include long-term observers who will be deployed throughout Kazakhstan for several weeks prior to the elections. In addition, approximately 200 short term observers, including parliamentarians, from a number of OSCE participating States and international governmental and non-governmental organizations are expected to observe polling day activities. The Observation Mission will follow the entire process and issue a preliminary statement shortly after polling day and a comprehensive report within a month. Following the elections, the OSCE will assist Kazakh authorities, in particular the Majilis, to implement the recommendations that will be developed in the comprehensive report.
The deployment of the Election Observation Mission by the OSCE/ODIHR does not, in and of itself or a priori, add legitimacy to the election process. Nor does it imply endorsement of the legal framework, administrative practices or the political environment in which the election is being conducted. Rather, an OSCE/ODIHR observation mission is intended to provide an impartial assessment of the electoral process and an evaluation of the degree to which Kazakhstan complies with internationally accepted standards, in particular the standards set in the OSCE Copenhagen Document of 1990.
In January 1999, concerned with the Kazakh authorities' refusal to register two opposition candidates and other shortcomings of the electoral framework, the OSCE/ODIHR declined to observe the presidential elections, instead deploying a "limited assessment mission." A number of legal and procedural changes have been made to the election system since that time. Improved procedures have also been introduced to provide additional safeguards to ensure access by observers to election commissions at all levels and an accurate reporting of the results. Notwithstanding other concerns with the legal framework, monitoring the actual implementation of these improvements will be important.
More significantly, serious concerns about the media and political environment remain. Nonetheless, more than 10 political parties, including those in the opposition, have been registered and will be able to field candidates for the elections. Some opposition candidates and alternative media representatives have already faced harassment and intimidation. Monitoring such abuses will be the primary focus of the Observation Mission.
The Election Observation Mission will include long-term observers who will be deployed throughout Kazakhstan for several weeks prior to the elections. In addition, approximately 200 short term observers, including parliamentarians, from a number of OSCE participating States and international governmental and non-governmental organizations are expected to observe polling day activities. The Observation Mission will follow the entire process and issue a preliminary statement shortly after polling day and a comprehensive report within a month. Following the elections, the OSCE will assist Kazakh authorities, in particular the Majilis, to implement the recommendations that will be developed in the comprehensive report.