OSCE could send observer mission to Kazakhstan’s new Constitution referendum

Deputy Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan, Mukhtar Yerman, presented the draft of Kazakhstan’s new Constitution at the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (ODIHR) in Warsaw.

He took part in a meeting of election observation coordinators, with representatives from 33 European nations, the U.S. and Canada — including central electoral bodies, foreign services, experts and civic society. During this meeting, Yerman met with ODIHR Director Maria Telalian.

«During the dialogue, the Deputy Chairman of the Central Election Commission presented up-to-date information on the large-scale work currently underway in the country as part of the constitutional reform initiated by Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev,» Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission press service said.

The discussion focused on the transition to a unicameral parliament, the Kurultai (translated as «gathering» or «assembly»), election of MPs on party lists, the establishment of the vice president’s role, and the creation of the Khalyk Kenesi (People’s Council) with legislative initiative rights.

Telalian thanked him for the information and expressed readiness to discuss sending an OSCE ODIHR observer mission to the upcoming Constitution referendum.

The draft Constitution was distributed to meeting participants as materials and infographics in English. Representatives of several delegations expressed interest in participating in the international observation of the referendum.