(By Yerkin Akhinzhanov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Norway)

On 20 November Kazakhstan will hold Presidential election. This vote will be highly consequential for Kazakhstan’s democracy since the country’s independence in 1991.

This year has been the most tumultuous in our recent history. My country was first rocked by the tragic events in January, when Kazakhstan suffered an armed coup attempt. Just over a month later a conflict erupted in Ukraine, indirectly impacting our country’s economy.

Yet despite these challenges, the nation began writing a new chapter of its political development. In March, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed constitutional reforms by limiting the powers of the President, strengthening the role of parliament, enhancing citizens’ engagement in political processes, and further strengthening the protection of human rights. 77 percent of our citizens voted in favour of constitutional amendments in a June referendum. 

The economic initiatives are focussed on diversification, de-monopolisation, and ensuring a fair distribution of the national income. Significantly the presidential term has been reduced from two five-year terms to a single seven-year period without the possibility of re-election. This should eliminate the risks of power monopolisation and strengthen the basic principles of democracy.

Given these substantial constitutional amendments and reforms, in September, incumbent President Tokayev decided to seek a democratic confirmation of his mandate for the fundamental transformation of Kazakhstan over the next seven years. Our country is changing at a swift pace, and it is important for our citizens to voice their opinion on the future direction of the nation. The election will offer an opportunity to reflect on the three years of Tokayev’s presidency, and to consider whether the people are on board with the vision for a New Kazakhstan.

Six candidates are running with varying political views, giving the electorate extensive choice. For the first time in our history, two female candidates are running for president. Over many years, Kazakhstan has been taking concrete steps to ensure gender equality and to promote women’s role in business and politics.

President Tokayev promised that the election will be held fairly, openly and with the broad participation of domestic and international observers. The elections will be monitored by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and other international organisations. Kazakhstan has always welcomed observers and their constructive feedback.

Given the significant global geopolitical challenges, the upcoming vote is not just important to Kazakhstan, but to the international community as well. As a big country located between Asia and Europe, we play a key role in facilitating trade between the two regions. Given our diplomatic ties with all sides, we are also ready to contribute to the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine in any way we can. From the economic perspective, our government has also been vigorously improving Kazakhstan’s investment climate, making us the top investment destination in the region. I have no doubt that our government will continue on this path after the inauguration of the new President.

Kazakhstan’s Central Electoral Commission (CEC) registered six candidates to qualify for the country’s Nov. 20 presidential election.

This will be the seventh presidential election held since Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991.

Registration closed Oct. 21 and six candidates, incumbent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Meiram Kazhyken, Zhiguli Dairabayev, Karakat Abden, Saltanat Tursynbekova and Nurlan Auesbaev, will campaign until Nov. 18 for election to the country’s highest office.

The candidates were required to collect at least 1 percent of the country’s registered voters or 118,273 valid voter signatures, in support of their candidacy.

President Tokayev first announced his proposal to hold the early election in his state-of-the-nation address on September 1, 2022. He explained that “for the successful implementation of radical and comprehensive reforms aimed at building a Just Kazakhstan, a new mandate of trust of the people is required.”

In the same address, President Tokayev also proposed to limit the presidential term to a single seven-year period without the right to re-election (previously two five-year terms).

The President explained that “limiting the presidential mandate to one term will ensure the maximum focus of the head of state on the strategic tasks of national development”.

Who are the presidential candidates?

·         Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (incumbent President) – candidate of the People’s Coalition (unites over 30 non-governmental organisations and parties).

·         Karakat Abden – National Alliance of Professional Social Workers. She is a public figure, a member of the National Commission for Women Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy.

·         Meiram Kazhyken – Commonwealth of Amanat Trade Unions. He is the head of the Astana School of Economics at the Astana International Science Complex (ISCA).

·         Nurlan Auesbayev – National Social Democratic Party (NSDP). He is the head of the NSDP’s Astana division.

·        Saltanat Tursynbekova – Qazaq analary – dasturge zhol (Kazakh mothers are a path to traditions) public association. She is a human rights activist, who focuses on women’s and children’s rights.

·         Zhiguli Dairabayev – Auyl party. He is the chair of the Agro-Industrial Complex Committee at the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs and the chair of the Association of Farmers.

Electoral standards and international observers

 President Tokayev emphasized that the election campaign will be conducted in strict accordance with the law, it will be held fairly, openly and with the broad participation of domestic and international observers.

It has been confirmed that international observers will be invited to Kazakhstan to cover the election to ensure openness and transparency during the electoral campaign.  

Foreign journalists can cover the election once they are accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.

Accreditation of observers of foreign states and international organisations ends on November 14.

Background to Kazakhstan’s electoral system

·         The Republic of Kazakhstan is a unitary state with a presidential form of government.

·         Kazakhstan’s Constitution defines free elections as the fundamental principle of organising state power, and the people as the bearer of sovereignty and the only source of state power.

·         A competitive system ensures that different political parties and candidates can participate in elections. They all enjoy freedom of speech, assembly, and movement to make their political views heard.

·         According to the provisions of the Constitution and legislation, presidential elections is held on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by a secret ballot.

·         The President of Kazakhstan is elected using the two-round system; if more than two presidential candidates are included in the ballot and no one receives a majority of the vote in the first round, a second round is held between the top two candidates.

·         Following amendments to legislation last year, a “none of the above” option was introduced on the ballots. This option will also be in place for the upcoming presidential election.

·         Following amendments to the Constitution earlier this year, the President of Kazakhstan is elected for a single term of seven years.

·         The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Kazakhstan will be responsible for organising and conducting the early presidential election.

International human rights conference the Oslo Freedom Forum is to be held in Taipei for the third time on Thursday, with 10 human rights advocates to attend.

Thai democracy movement leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, who made the Time 100 Next list in 2019, Ukrainian human rights defender Oleksandra Matviichuk and Chinese political cartoonist Badiucao (巴丟草) are among those who have been invited to this year’s event, said the New York-based Human Rights Foundation, which is organizing the forum.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) would also attend as a special guest and speak at the opening, the foundation said.

The annual forum, which was first held in 2009, was previously hosted in Taipei in 2018 and 2019. Aside from Norway and the US, where the forum is most often held, Taiwan has hosted it more than any other country.

The half-day forum is to be held at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Taipei, with speeches, an interactive exhibition and a discussion on key topics.

Foundation president Celine Assaf-Boustani would attend on her first visit to Taiwan.

Holding the forum in Taipei for a third time was a way to recognize Taiwan’s achievements in upholding human rights, defending democracy and fighting for freedom, Assaf-Boustani said.

The theme of this year’s forum, “Champion of Change,” celebrates rights advocates, “who are themselves champions,” and their causes, the forum’s Web site says.

Hong Kong political and digital rights advocate Glacier Kwong (鄺頌晴), Burmese democracy promoter Wai Hnin Pwint Thon, Saudi Arabian activist Areej al-Sadhan and Taiwan Parliamentary Human Rights Commission secretary-general Wuer Kaixi, among others, would also attend, the organizers said.

Al-Sadhan, Badiucao and Matviichuk are to attend virtually, the organizers added.