Foreign Diplomats Briefed On Preparations for Referendum in Kazakhstan
Nur-Sultan, May 25, 2022 – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Referendum Commission held a joint briefing for foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Nur-Sultan on the national referendum on June 5 on amendments and additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Opening the event, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tileuberdi noted that “we, as the state, are committed to holding the referendum in the most fair and transparent manner, in accordance with the best democratic standards and principles.” Kazakhstan counts on our international partners’ objective assessment of the vote and further support of the reform agenda of the President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Chairman of the Central Referendum Commission (CRC) Nurlan Abdirov spoke about the preparations for the upcoming vote and its key procedural aspects. Special attention is paid to providing proper conditions for the free expression of the will of citizens, including persons with disabilities, as well as opportunities for citizens to check their registration as voters, to inform all citizens about the voting process.
“The CRC works in strict accordance with the law, operates on the principles of openness and public dialogue. All meetings are held with the participation of the media, live Internet broadcasts are conducted. We welcome cooperation with NGOs, the expert community and international institutions,” Mr Abdirov stressed.
According to him, the Commission is doing a lot of work in the regions, meeting with the public and members of precinct commissions, informing citizens about the upcoming referendum; there is considerable interest from foreign observers.
According to the Commission, 105 observers from organizations such as the OSCE/ODIHR, the CIS, the Organization of Turkic States, as well as from 13 foreign states have been accredited to date.
Within the framework of the campaign, training seminars are held for national and regional public associations, mass media, and NGOs to promote the rights of people with disabilities.
During the exchange of views that followed the presentations, foreign diplomats showed keen interest in the historical event expected in our country. The participants had a chance to ask their questions to the CRC and discuss the topics of the upcoming vote.
Abdirov thanked the diplomatic corps in this regard “for the constant assistance in establishing close contacts with the electoral authorities of foreign countries, exchange of experience in the field of elections and referendums.”
More than 70 foreign diplomats, including 41 ambassadors, 10 chargé d'affaires and 3 heads of representative offices of international organizations, took part in the meeting. Heads of Kazakhstan’s diplomatic missions in other countries attended online.
Kazakh citizens who are abroad on the day of voting will be able to participate in the referendum at one of the 65 polling stations opened at the diplomatic missions of Kazakhstan in 52 countries of the world.