Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan.16 / Trend K.Konyrova /
OSCE reports shortcomings in the Kazakh elections, according to a statement made at an OSCE press conference in Astana.
"These elections do not comply with basic democratic principles," OSCE/ODIHR Observation Mission head Miklós Haraszti said.
He said the right to free assembly and debates was restricted in Kazakhstan. There was no editorial independence in media.
"We have noticed a limited competition," he said. "A number of parties did not have an opportunity to register. The cancellation of the registration occurred voluntarily, which could be applied to other parties."
Besides the state party, he said, two more parties joined the parliament. The results of the elections can be characterized as controlled elections.
"We observed the elections," he said. "There is no problem at the technical level. There is a lack of political will, that ensures civil society to develop democratically."
OSCE ODIHR other observer Joao Soares said the elections in Kazakhstan did not meet the criteria of the OSCE and the Council of Europe.
Haraszti said there is progress in the electoral process in Kazakhstan compared to previous one.
The elections were held on Jan.15. According to preliminary data of the Kazakh CEC, the ruling party Nur Otan received 80.74 percent of the votes, Ak Zhol - 7.46 percent, while the Communist Party - 7.2 percent.
