Kazakhstan, Astana, Jan. 15 / Trend K. Konyrova /
All Kazakh parties were given equal opportunities for election campaigns, observers at Kazakhstan's parliamentary election, Lithuanian MPs Edmundas Pupinis and Julius Sabatauskas said Sunday.
"We arrived in Kazakhstan before the elections began and observed the election campaign. It is encouraging that all parties were given equal opportunities for their campaigns. The fact that during the debates the floor was given to representatives of all parties, and that there was a tight control for the time of TV commercials. We are glad that multiple parties can enter the Parliament, which indicates the commitment to democracy, observers said.
At the same time, they noted a number of shortcomings.
"During our visit to a polling station in the village of Rodina in Akmola region, we found observers from only one party. Even if it is a small village's station, in any case there should be representatives of several parties," said the Lithuanian MPs.
Pupinis and Sabatauskas also drew attention to the fact that at the end of the election the voters will not immediately know which MPs entered the Majilis, as the parties will still have to decide who should represent them in the lower house. In their view, it would be rather well if the parties would have decided before the election.
"We think that one should not worry much that some people did not come to vote. Not to come to the polls is also a position and it has to be reckoned with. The assessment of the elections now mainly depends on how the counting of votes would take place," said the MPs.
The elections to Majilis and maslikhats are held today in Kazakhstan. The preliminary election results will be announced on January 16.
The Nur Otan national-democratic party, Adilet, Kazakhstan Patriots' Party, Nationwide social-democratic party, Ak Zhol, Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh Social Democratic Party Auyl are taking part in the elections.