2012 Parliamentary Elections in Kazakhstan

Karim Massimov announced that a vote of confidence will be held during the first Parliamentary session of the V convocation. Under the Constitution of Kazakhstan if the Majilis expresses confidence in the government, the government continues to carry out its duties, unless the president decides otherwise. If a vote of no confidence is passed, the government resigns. It is up to the president to accept or decline the resignation within 10 days. Moreover, Nur Otan deputy chairman Nurlan Nigmatulin has been put forward as a Speaker of the Majilis, and it was announced that Karim Massimov remains Prime Minister.

In the coming years we must be very cautious in social matters – N. Nazarbayev

"I believe that in the next five years the newly elected Parliament can become an effective political force, capable of taking responsibility for the country's future, stability of the society and its comprehensive modernization", President Nazarbayev said at the opening of the first session of the Parliament of the V convocation on 20 January. "Kazakhstan is facing new grand, complex tasks that are globally dictated."" In the coming years we must be gradual and very cautious in social matters," he added. 

President Nazarbayev signed the decree "on calling the first meeting of the 5th legislature of the Parliament of Kazakhstan at 10 am on January 20, 2012 in Astana", on 18 January.  The government led by Karim Massimov will resign shortly, and candidacy of the new Prime Minister will be discussed at the next joint parliament session. Moreover, the three parties, Nur Otan, Ak Zhol and KPPK who won seats in the parliament, have determined their list of future deputies of the Majilis. 

According to President Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan will no longer welcome experts, who are hired to criticize the elections while monitoring the election. On 18 January at the Nur Otan party meeting, the President stressed that Nur Otan party victory in the parliamentary elections "proved that all our programs are accepted and our goals and policy are approved". He added that most observers and experts recognize parliamentary elections as just and transparent.

The leader of Ak Zhol Party does not agree with the OSCE/ODIHR observer mission's assessment on parliamentary elections. "Whatever they say, they treat our country as something strange to them," Peruashev said on 16 January. CIS Parliamentary Assembly observers are also surprised with OSCE/ODIHR opinion on elections. "Almost 300 CIS observers watched the balloting. We had a chance to visit more than 2,000 polling stations and saw or registered nothing about what the OSCE/ODIHR observers say in their report" said the Head of mission and First Vice-Speaker of the Federation Council Alexander Torshin. 

Around 300 opposition activists and supporters have rallied in Kazakhstan's largest city of Almaty to protest the results of the 15 January 2012 parliamentary elections. According to International observers [OSCE] the elections failed to meet basic democratic principles. The protest was organized by the 'Social Democratic Party' (OSDP) 'Azat' (Freedom), which failed to pass the 7% threshold.

Participants burned ballots in a symbolic protest against alleged election fraud. The party received an official permission from the government to hold the meeting in Almaty on 17 January at 'Sary-Arka' square. Chairman of the OSDP, Zharmakhan Tuyakbai, stated: "We are no longer going to appeal to the authorities. We are planning a series of actions. Our methods are going to change." "They stink!", Amirzhan Kosanov, the party's General Secretary said about the vote counts. The party has refused to recognize the election results as valid or impartial. "During the campaign, we said that, if there is injustice again, if there is unfairness again, we won't play these games any more," said Party Leader Tuyakbai. 

"We welcome the monitoring of the parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe delegations and acknowledge their preliminary assessment that a variety of issues caused this election to fall short of the international standards to which Kazakhstan has committed itself. We look forward to engaging with the new multi-party Parliament as we continue our co-operation with the government and people of Kazakhstan to implement our broad-ranging strategic partnership. We recognize the government's stated ambition to improve the political climate and to conduct more inclusive and transparent elections in line with both its international commitments and the aspirations of the Kazakhstani people. In addition to improving the transparency of operations on election day, we hope that the Government of Kazakhstan follows through on its stated goal of strengthening the overall conditions necessary for genuine political pluralism." (Press Statement, state.gov - 16.01.2011). 

On 17 January, the Central Election Commission (CEC) announced the final results of the Majilis elections on 15 January 2012.

'Nur Otan' Party won with 80,99% of all votes.

'Ak Zhol' Party and 'Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan got' made it into the Parliament with 7,47% and 7,19% respectively.

The results of the other four parties are as follows:

'National Social-Democratic Party'(OSDP)- 1,68%,

Kazakhstan Social-Democratic Party 'Auyl' - 1,19%,

'Party of Patriots of Kazakhstan' - 0,8%,

Democratic Party 'Adilet' - 0,6%.

The voters turnout was 75,4%.

The CEC distributed deputy mandates among three parties elected to the Majilis on 17 January. And CEC Secretary, Bakhyt Meldeshov, noted: "Having summed up the votes for the political parties that overcame the 7% threshold, we divided the number of distributed deputy mandates. We got a quota of 67.741.11 votes per one mandate. Based on this quota, the following number of mandates will be distributed among the political parties: 83 mandates for 'Nur Otan'; 8 mandates for 'Ak Zhol'; 7 mandates for the 'Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan'."

The CIS and SCO observers assessed the elections as free, open and transparent.
OSCE observers stated that the elections held in Kazakhstan on 15 January 2012, did not meet basic democratic standards. 

Nur Otan, Ak Zhol and Communist Party won seats in the Parliament – preliminary results

According to the preliminary estimates of the CEC, Nur Otan party won 80.74%, Ak Zhol secured 7.46%, CPP had 7.2%, OSDP  followed with 1.59%, Auyl  gained 1.46% the Party of Patriots  finished with less than 1% (0.89%), and Adilet  polled less of all (0.66%). According to the exit polls conducted on 15 January by a number of non-governmental organizations three parties may be represented in the new parliament of Kazakhstan: Nur Otan (81%), Ak Zhol (7.2% – 7.9%), the KPPK (7.3%). The oppositional party OSDP got 1.5%. (Interfax, Zakon)

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Voter turnout amounted 75.07% - CEC

The CEC announced after the election day that overall voter turnout amounted to 75.07%. As for the city of Astana and Almaty the turnout reached 53.32% and respectively 41.38%. CEC Chairman Kuandyk Turgankulov told that the highest turnout figure was registered in Almaty region at 92.6 percent. According to the CEC, some 819 observers from various international organizations, including the OSCE, CIS and the SCO had registered to monitor the elections. Alexander Torshin, head of an observer delegation from the CIS, highly valued the Kazakh elections on 15 January, saying that the elections were "open and honest." (Interfax, Kazinform, Zakon)

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People's Assembly of Kazakhstan elects its candidates to Majilis

393 members of the People's Assembly of Kazakhstan have nominated 9 candidates for the Majilis on 16 January. The voting for the candidates to the Majilis seats is taking place at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Chairman of the People's Assembly of Kazakhstan has cast his vote for the candidates for the Majilis deputies elected by the Assembly. (Kazinform)

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International election observers to present findings at news conference on 16 January

The international observers monitoring the early parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan from the OSCE/ODIHR, OSCE/PA and PACE will present their preliminary post-election statement at a news conference on 16 January in Astana. A total of 362 observers from 41 countries, including 54 long-term observers and experts from the OSCE/ODIHR, 246 short-term observers seconded by participating states, 45 parliamentarians and OSCE PA staff, and rom PACE did observe elections all over the country. (osce.org)

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Kazakh opposition party denied permission to hold post-election protests

Kazakhstan's opposition OSDP was going to hold demonstrations in all Kazakh regions, but was denied permission in the majority of them. "Our party applied for demonstrations to be held in all regional centres and the city of Almaty. Virtually everywhere we received refusals under various pretexts," Amirzhan Kosanov party's Secretary General said. The party will look at the election results before making a decision about possible unsanctioned demonstrations, he said. Moreover, the OSDP filed several applications on violations of election law, saying that in some regions OSDP representatives were not allowed to the district election commissions. These facts are being checked by the CEC. (Interfax)

Early parliamentary elections concluded in Kazakhstan on 15 January, with a voter turnout of 75.07 percent, up from some 64 percent in the last elections in 2007.

The Kazakh Central Election Committee (CEC) said that preliminary information showed that some 6.98 million out of 9.3 million eligible voters had cast their ballots in domestic polling stations to choose their favorite parties in a new Mazhilis, or the lower house of the Kazakh parliament.

All of the 9,764 polling stations in the country opened from 07: 00 to 20:00 local time. Some 56 overseas stations also opened to Kazakh voters living in other countries.

CEC Chairperson Kuandyk Turgankulov told a press conference late Sunday that the highest turnout figure was registered in Almaty region at 92.6 percent. He confirmed that preliminary results of the elections would be published on Monday.

The seven parties contesting the elections are the ruling Nur Otan party, led by President Nurlsutan Nazarbayev, Ak Zhol party, All National Social Democratic Party, Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan, Party of Patriots, Auyl party and Adilet party.

Under a new election law, a minimum of two parties will enter the parliament after the polls, even if the second-place party fails to pass the seven percent threshold to enter the lower house.

A total of 98 out of 107 seats in the Mazhilis will be allocated on a proportional basis, while the rest will be elected by the Assembly of the Peoples of Kazakhstan on Monday.

President Nazarbayev said on Sunday that he believed the Kazakh people "will make their choice, as always, for the country's stability and calm."

"All necessary things have been done for open and honest elections," he stressed.

According to the CEC, some 819 observers from various international organizations, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Commonwealth of the Independent States (CIS) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) had registered to monitor the elections.

Alexander Torshin, head of an observer delegation from the CIS, highly valued the Kazakh elections on Sunday, saying that the elections were "open and honest."

Another member in the CIS observer delegation Vladimir Garkun said that CIS observers did not find any serious violations in Sunday's elections.

"Observers or authorized representatives of political parties stayed at all the polling stations. They did not make any claims or complaints to our observers," he said.

Kazakh girl Baydulatova Kunsula, an 18-year-old university student and also an independent observer registered in the CEC, told Xinhua that she saw her participation in the elections as an "honor."

"It is an honor that I have the chance to witness a big event in the country," she said.

Tamara Gutova, a retiree, told Xinhua that she chose the ruling Nur Otan Party, because she "really trusts" the party.

"I'm satisfied with my life. I have a big house and enjoy good welfare," she said. "I believe the Nur Otan Party will lead Kazakhstan to a new prosperity."

A middle-aged man who identified himself only as Abildayev echoed Gutova's acclaim for the ruling party. "The party has adopted good policies and brought benefits to the people," he said.

Since its independence in 1991, Kazakhstan has become the biggest economy in Central Asia. It also enjoys the highest living standard in the region under the leadership of Nazarbayev and the ruling party.

According to the authorities, the country's 2011 per capita GDP is expected to reach 11,300 U.S. dollars, a 758-percent hike compared with 1,490 dollars in 2001.

These achievements have won much support for the president and the ruling party. In the last Kazakh elections in 2007, the Nur Otan Party won an overwhelming majority in parliamentary elections and gained 98 seats in the Majilis.

In December, pre-election surveys showed that the Nur Otan party was widely expected to keep its majority in the new Mazhilis, while Ak Zhol party, which has risen rapidly to become the second largest political party in the country by membership, is another party that may enter the lower house.

Parliamentary elections had originally been scheduled for August 2012. However, Nazarbayev dissolved the Majilis and called snap parliamentary elections in November in a bid to avoid the campaign season coinciding with a looming global economic downturn in the next year.

On 17 January, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton made a statement following the parliamentary elections and congratulated the people of Kazakhstan for exercising their democratic rights on 15 January. 

"I would like to congratulate the people of Kazakhstan for the way in which they exercised their

 democratic rights in the legislative elections on 15 January. I also welcome the fact that three

parties will be represented in Parliament, which is a positive step towards the development of a

pluralistic and democratic political culture in Kazakhstan.

However, I regret that these elections, as noted by the OSCE, fell short of being genuinely

 pluralistic and did not meet key democratic principles.

 I encourage the Kazakh authorities to address the shortcomings identified by the OSCE as a matter

 of priority, in line with their commitments regarding democratic principles and human rights.

 Kazakhstan is a key partner for the EU, and we are ready to continue our support to the

 implementation of further political reforms."

Today, 14 January, each Precinct Election Commission (PEC) should receive its election materials before election day. 
The deadline for ballots to be delivered is the day before the election (14 JANUARY)

VOTING HOURS on  Sunday 15 JANUARY 2012:

Voting hours are from 07:00 hrs to 20:00 hrs, local time. Regional Election Commission (RECs) and Territorial Election Commission (TECs) can shift voting hours upon the proposal of AKIMS or PECs. In such cases, the change of voting hours should be publicly announced ahead of time. (No later than 10 days prior to the elections, through the medias PECs should inform voters about it)

Representatives of Kazakhstan’s political parties addressed their potential voters during the TV-debates on Khabar 

channel. Kazakhstan’s residents were promised housing, 40-tenge per litre petrol and zero VAT., tengrinews.kz reports. 

First Deputy Chairman of ’Nur Otan’ Party, Nurlan Nigmatullin, promised to voters “to help the residents 
to become owners of the country’s strategic resources. As part of the country's industrial and innovative development 
the party will ensure the construction of 24 millions of square meters of housing and repair over 30 thousand 
service networks.” 

The ‘Ak Zhol’ Party representative, Azat Peruashev, called for the transfer of development 
institutions under the parliamentary control, exempt small and medium businesses from taxes in the first three years 
of work, abstain from accounts blocking and penalties on inconsistent tax reporting, if this reporting causes no 
damage to the budget. “VAT rates for priority economy sectors should vary from 0 to 6%. “The state has to support 
those who earn their money, pay taxes and gives jobs to others,” he said. 

One of the leaders of the National Social-Democratic Party, Zharmakhan Tuyakbai, spoke about the state of Kazakhstan’s economy after 20 years of 
independence. He noted: “78% of the energy sector is owned by foreigners. 30% of explored oil reserves are owned 
by Chinese. Meanwhile, our people live in poverty”. According to the party, the country needs diversification of the 
economy that is now overly dependent on the energy sector. “We have no domestic commodities production. Look 
at our clothes. If we take it all off, would we find at least a single piece of clothing that is made in Kazakhstan? 
No!”, he stated. 

Ualikhan Kaissarov from Adilet (Fairness) Party started his speech with the party’s motto “Oil 
to people, corrupted persons to jail and Adilet to Parliament”. He promised to free people from slavery, oppression 
and enslavement: “We will free people from occupational government. People miss their rights these days. Nobody 
deems them people anymore. We will solve this issue. We will write off all the debts of young families on housing 
loans, when they give birth to first, second and third baby. We will introduce maternity capital and students’ immunity.

The petrol price in Kazakhstan will be fair and AI-92 will cost 40 tenge (USD 0.3) per litre.” He complained 
that despite of 20 years of independence, Kazakhstan still does not have Akim (Governor) elections. “When 
we introduce Akim elections, then Akims will no loner serve their masters who appoint them, but they will serve 
the people, their true and real masters,” he stated. 

SCO observers watched TV-debates of Kazakhstan parties on 12 January on KHABAR TVvand shared their opinions at the meeting in the Central Election Commission on January 13.

“We have watched the TV-debates yesterday. We were also happy to hear the heads of the parties speaking of the programs they are planning to implement in case they are elected to еру Majilis,” deputy Secretary General of SCO Anvar Nassyrov said.
He said that SCO observers will present the report on observing elections on January 16. “We, members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s mission, are ready to perform our activities independently and be guided only by the principles of political objectiveness, neutrality, impartiality and not follow any instructions from other authorities, etc.,” Nassyrov said.
Chairman of the Central Election Commission reported on the situation in Zhanaozen: "The superintendent of Zhanaozen town, local election commission, the Central Election Commission are ensuring presence of accredited international observers, local observers, foreign media accredited by the Foreign Ministry, and local media to observe elections in Zhanaozen without any restrictions,” Kuandyk Turgankulov told the international observers.
According to the CEC chairman, Zhanaozen is ready for the elections. The polling stations are technically equipped and provided with the voters’ lists, the chairman assured.

On 9 January, the lawsuit of the former leader of the Rukhaniyat party Serikzhan Mambetalin who challenged the CEC to cancel its decision to disqualify the party from the forthcoming parliamentary election, was dismissed: "the court believes the claims of the Rukhaniyat party are unfounded and are not to be upheld," Judge Ardak Balagumarova said. Moreover, on 7 January, Mambetalin started a hunger strike after having been dismissed as leader of the party. (Interfax, Kazinform, Zakon)

The Minister for Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan Vladimir Bozhko is to visit Zhanaozen according to his Twitter page. Meanwhile Akim of the Mangistau region Baurzhan Mukhamedzhanov said that the displacement of people from Zhanaozen is unrealistic and denied having any plans to establish a special economic zone in Zhanaozen. Moreover Bulat Abilov, member of the public commission and OSDP co-chairman, said on 9 January that seven police officers, suspected of hidden confiscation of mobile phones and cash from residents of Zhanaozen, have been arrested. A check had been started in this connection.

The President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has vetoed the ruling of the Constitutional Council that the holding of parliamentary elections in Zhanaozen was impossible. "By exercising his right of veto the president aimed to address the concerns of the Zhanaozen residents that their constitutional rights were being restricted. Thus the purpose of the president's decision is to allow the residents of Zhanaozen to elect their representatives or be elected to the local and national parliaments," the statement said. Yesterday Bulat Abilov, member of the public commission and OSDP co-chairman stated that Nur Otan party would have lost their votes in Zhanaozen, if the parliamentary elections had been held there. According to him that was the main reason for extending the state of emergency and calling off the elections in Zhanaozen.