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Round table submits proposals to amend Kazakh election law
ASTANA 29 January 2002
ASTANA, 29 January 2002 - The fourth round table on elections submitted today to the Parliament of Kazakhstan a comprehensive package of proposals to amend the country's election law. The four round tables organized jointly by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Centre in Almaty, and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, in collaboration with the Government and the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Kazakhstan, brought together for the first time representatives of the Parliament, various government ministries and agencies, the CEC, political parties, including those not represented in Parliament, and civil society.
"Despite some difficulties and uncertainties, the round table process succeeded to encourage and promote a political dialogue between all segments of civil society, in particular between opposition political parties and the Government", said Ihor Ostash, Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and Moderator of the round tables.
While a constructive dialogue prevailed during the round table process, incidents of intimidation and physical attacks against some opposition leaders did not contribute to public confidence. One party attempted to preempt the outcome of the discussions with the unilateral submission to Parliament of its own amendments to the Election Code. Some opposition political parties did not participate in the round table process or did so only partially. Despite these and other obstacles, the process produced results thanks to the perseverance of the majority of participants. In fact, all participants urged the OSCE to continue with similar discussions in the near future on other issues.
The four round tables examined the shortcomings of the 1999 presidential and parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan and the ODIHR recommendations to improve all aspects of the process. Based on these, political parties submitted a comprehensive list of proposed amendments which the CEC summarized in a table. This table showed areas of consensus and divergent opinions on how to improve the Election Code. The OSCE urges the Parliament to consider all proposals and ODIHR recommendations, and amend the Election Code in accordance with OSCE commitments. The OSCE will evaluate the results of the round table process after the Parliament prepares a final draft of the proposed amendments.
The OSCE institutions organizing the round tables stand ready to further assist the authorities and civil society of Kazakhstan to successfully complete the process of amending the Election Code of the Republic.
"Despite some difficulties and uncertainties, the round table process succeeded to encourage and promote a political dialogue between all segments of civil society, in particular between opposition political parties and the Government", said Ihor Ostash, Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and Moderator of the round tables.
While a constructive dialogue prevailed during the round table process, incidents of intimidation and physical attacks against some opposition leaders did not contribute to public confidence. One party attempted to preempt the outcome of the discussions with the unilateral submission to Parliament of its own amendments to the Election Code. Some opposition political parties did not participate in the round table process or did so only partially. Despite these and other obstacles, the process produced results thanks to the perseverance of the majority of participants. In fact, all participants urged the OSCE to continue with similar discussions in the near future on other issues.
The four round tables examined the shortcomings of the 1999 presidential and parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan and the ODIHR recommendations to improve all aspects of the process. Based on these, political parties submitted a comprehensive list of proposed amendments which the CEC summarized in a table. This table showed areas of consensus and divergent opinions on how to improve the Election Code. The OSCE urges the Parliament to consider all proposals and ODIHR recommendations, and amend the Election Code in accordance with OSCE commitments. The OSCE will evaluate the results of the round table process after the Parliament prepares a final draft of the proposed amendments.
The OSCE institutions organizing the round tables stand ready to further assist the authorities and civil society of Kazakhstan to successfully complete the process of amending the Election Code of the Republic.