Early Parliamentary Elections, 20 March 2016

Press conference

Following an official invitation and in accordance with its mandate, the OSCE/ODIHR has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to observe the 20 March early parliamentary elections.

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM and the OSCE Programme Office in Astana operate separately under their specific mandates.

Long-term observation

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM, headed by Ambassador Boris Frlec, consists of 15 international experts based in Astana. In addition, 28 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 23 February.

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM will assess these elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor voter and candidate registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment, and the resolution of election-related disputes. As part of the observation, the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign.

Short-Term observers

The OSCE/ODIHR requests participating States to second four hundred (400) short-term observers (STOs) to observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results. STOs will be deployed in multinational teams of two, under a deployment plan prepared by the OSCE/ODIHR EOM. In the interest of a broad and balanced representation among participating States, the OSCE/ODIHR requests that individual participating States nominate only up to 15 per cent of the total number of requested STOs. Please consult the information sheet and register on the STO database.

Election Day

The OSCE/ODIHR has requested 400 short-term observers to be deployed immediately prior to the 20 March early parliamentary elections. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country in multinational teams of two to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.

The day after the elections, ODIHR will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the electoral process.

Co-operation with Other Partners

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe are planning to deploy observer delegations for these elections.

Previous elections

The OSCE/ODIHR has observed eight elections in Kazakhstan, most recently the 2015 early presidential election.