The presidential election campaign in Kazakhstan has drawn to an end and the country will observe "a day of silence" before the vote, due on April 3. At midnight a ban on any campaigning took effect, ITAR-TASS reported. This rule exists in the electoral laws of most countries to let voters make a conscious choice without any external pressures.
Kazakhstan's "day of silence" is special in a sense, for it does not require the removal of all election advertisements from the streets. Anyway, the campaigning has been not annoying at all and not as aggressive as, for example, billboards announcing the upcoming performances of visiting pop stars.
Another sensation for many was the complete absence of "dirty campaigning," reciprocal attacks and defamation attempts, which is not typical of elections at this level. This fact was recognized not only by the republican Central Election Commission, but also by the contenders for the top post. Alongside the incumbent president, Nursultan Nazarbayev (leader of the ruling party Nur Otan), taking part in the race are three other candidates: leader of the Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan Zhambyl Ahmetbekov, leader of the Party of Patriots, Senator Gani Kasimov, and self-promoted Mels Yeleusizov, who leads the Environmental Union Tabigat (Nature, the Green Party).
All of them have admitted that they had equal access to media and the opportunity to explain their programs to the voters.
"I did not feel oppressed or restricted in any way," Kasimov told Itar-Tass.
Also noteworthy is the fact that Nazarbayev has refused to personally participate in the campaign, as the results of his work are on everyone's mind and plans for the future are a strategy for development.
"My platform is outlined in the message and speech at the party congress," he said.
Naturally, Nazarbayev has heard accusations that his presidential activities give him a distinct advantage in terms of campaigning, but the same happens all over the world, whenever the incumbent president is involved in the campaign.
The international observers and journalists gathering in the country these days cannot but recognize the merits of the Kazakh leader in securing the modernization of the country. The very appearance of the new capital, Astana, can serve as a weighty argument in favor of the incumbent.
The only permissible campaigning on the "day of silence" is appeals to the voters to come to the polling stations. In Kazakhstan's legislation there is no "turnout threshold." The election will be valid irrespective of the number of votes cast. Nevertheless, electoral activity is considered as an important factor for recognizing the election's legitimacy. And this rate in Kazakhstan is traditionally high. In the last presidential election of 2005 the turnout was as big as 76.79 percent. Experts predict that this time it can hardly be lower. The final answers are due soon, on the polling day.