Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan - 30 years: history of elections - history of the country

The international scientific and practical conference “Constitutional reform and the electoral system”, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was held in Astana.

The event was attended by representatives of central election bodies of 16 countries and 6 international organizations, including the World Association of Electoral Bodies, OSCE, CIS Executive Committee, Inter-Parliamentary Union, Organization of Turkic States, Council of the Intergovernmental Authority of the CIS, as well as heads of government agencies, deputies of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, members of the Expert Council under the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Working Group on Ensuring the Electoral Rights of Persons with Disabilities, territorial election commissions, representatives of political parties, scientific, educational, public organizations, and the media.

Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sent greetings to the conference participants. It was read out by Presidential Adviser Yernar Baspaev at the opening of the event.

The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan noted that over the years of independence, the country's electoral bodies have come a long way in evolutionary development, making a significant contribution to the formation of key institutions of state power. All this time, they remain committed to high international standards in the field of electoral law, maintain productive cooperation with international partners, and build an open dialogue with society. For example, based on advanced foreign experience, measures have been taken to professionalize territorial commissions, formalize the status and improve the working conditions of their members.

“In the context of comprehensive reforms, Kazakhstan is aimed at constantly improving election legislation. This complex and multifaceted process, of course, requires close interaction with the expert community,” the Head of State emphasized.

Also, welcoming letters were sent to the event participants by the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Maulen Ashimbaev, and the Chairman of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Erlan Koshanov.

Addressing the conference participants, the head of the delegation of the CIS Executive Committee - First Deputy Secretary General of the CIS Leonid Anfimov noted that Kazakhstan has formed an electoral system that meets international standards, which gives every citizen of the country the right to express their will, elect and be elected, thus participating in governance by the state.

“The Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan has truly become one of the flagships in election activities in the Commonwealth of Independent States,” he emphasized.

Honorary President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Duarte Pacheco emphasized that the constitutional reform of the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, supported by the people in the 2022 referendum, is confirmation that the country is increasing interest in democratic principles and improving the electoral system.

During the conference, video congratulations were shown from the Secretary General of the World Association of Electoral Bodies In-sik Jang, the Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Kubanychbek Omuraliev and the Secretary General of the Council of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Dmitry Kobitsky.

The exhibition on the history of elections, covering all periods of development of the electoral system of Kazakhstan over the past 30 years, aroused great interest. The materials of the exposition presented during the conference reflected the key elements of constitutional reform, updating of election legislation, and also focused on the strategic foundations for the further development of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

As part of the conference, Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurlan Abdirov signed memorandums of understanding with Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan Zainiddin Nizamkhodjaev, Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Hovakimyan, Chairman of the Supreme Electoral Council of the Republic of Turkey Ahmet Yener. The signing of documents will strengthen further cooperation between countries in the development of electoral systems and processes.

The conference included two thematic sessions: “The evolution of election legislation in the context of constitutional reform” and “Current trends in the development of electoral systems.” Speakers and participants discussed the challenges facing modern electoral systems of states and exchanged experiences on issues of electronic voting and other modern electoral technologies.

Foreign colleagues gave a positive assessment to the political reforms of Kazakhstan initiated by Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Speaking at the first session, Nurlan Abdirov noted that the Central Election Commission became the first special body in the field of managing the electoral process at the national level, heading a unified system of electoral structures. Since its founding, the Central Election Commission has been inextricably linked with the history of the formation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, directly participating in the formation of legitimate institutions of state power.

Being an active member of many authoritative international organizations, Kazakhstan adheres to all accepted