CEC: THE NUMBER OF ACCREDITED OBSERVERS REFLECTS 

STRONG INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN THE KURULTAI 

ELECTIONS

The XIII meeting of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held today as part of the campaign for the election of deputies of  the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan, scheduled for August 23, 2026. 

The meeting was attended via videoconference by the chairpresons and members of territorial election commissions from the capital, the regions, and cities of republican significance, as well as by the heads of the regional akims’ offices. In addition, as is customary, international observers, representatives of political parties, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the media were invited to attend the meeting.

In accordance with the agenda, the following issues were considered:

1. On the procedure for voting and summing up its results in the elections of deputies of the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan, scheduled for August 23, 2026;

2. On the results of the accreditation of observers from foreign states and international organizations for the elections of deputies of the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan, scheduled for August 23, 2026.

Opening the meeting, the Chairman of the CEC RK noted that, the day before, CEC members had completed their inspection visits, which covered polling stations in all regions of the country. The Chairman summarized the results of this work and noted the high level of readiness of the polling stations. At the same time, he highlighted a number of outstanding issues that need to be addressed in the remaining time before election day.

"During the visits, the work of the commissions and the readiness of polling stations for voting were thoroughly reviewed. Specific instructions were given on some issues. The CEC members paid great attention to the accessibility of polling stations and the provision of conditions for citizens with disabilities to vote. Depending on weather conditions, a comfortable temperature should also be maintained at all polling stations, with air-conditioning and ventilation systems provided where necessary. It is also necessary to strengthen the work of emergency medical services on election day. In this regard, I ask the local executive authorities to place these issues under special oversight. All comments and shortcomings identified during the inspection visits must be fully addressed, and comprehensive measures must be taken by 23 August," - Nurlan Abdirov summed up the results of the inspection visits.

Speaking on the first item of the agenda, Central Election Commission member Azamat Aimanakumov explained how voting and the tabulation of results would be organized. Voting will take place at 10,423 polling stations, including 79 polling stations at Kazakhstan’s diplomatic missions in 61 foreign countries. 

Voting will take place from 7:00 to 20:00. At polling stations established in military units, remote and hard-to-reach areas, seasonal livestock-farming locations, organizations operating continuously, holiday homes, health-resort facilities, inpatient medical institutions, rotational work camps, special institutions providing temporary isolation from society, as well as at the missions of the Republic of Kazakhstan in foreign states, the precinct election commission may declare voting closed at any time once all citizens included on the voter list have cast their ballots.

Azamat Aimanakumov also emphasized the importance of complying with the rules governing presence at polling stations.

"Persons present in the polling premises are required to strictly comply with the rules established by the precinct election commission. The Chair of the relevant precinct election commission regulates the number of citizens who may be present in the polling premises at the same time. The Chair is responsible for maintaining order and has the right to require any person who violates the provisions of the Constitutional Law “On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan” and obstructs the voting process to leave the premises. On election day, the presence in the polling premises of unauthorized persons who are not involved in the voting process is prohibited. In the event of a violation of the election legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a member of the precinct election commission shall be immediately suspended from participating in its work, while an observer or any other person shall be removed from the polling premises on the basis of a reasoned written decision adopted by the election commission," - Azamat Aimanakumov said.

The CEC member reminded about the possibilities of citizens to vote at home if they are unable to arrive at the polling station for health reasons or due to the need to care for an ill family member, as well as that the results of the elections of Kurultai deputies are determined by the Central Election Commission within ten days of election day.

In turn, CEC member Lyazzat Suyindik informed the meeting participants about the conditions that are being created at polling stations for people with disabilities. In particular, she demonstrated a special Braille template designed for the ballot paper, which will be available at all polling stations. The main goal set by the Central Election Commission in this context is to provide people with visual disabilities with the opportunity to vote independently.

"The content of the template fully corresponds to the ballot paper and is provided in two languages. The content of the fully corresponds to the and is provided in two languages. Since raised-dot Braille characters require more space than standard printed text, the template is double-sided. The front side contains information on the title of the ballot, while the reverse side lists the names of the political parties participating in the elections, as well as the “Against all” option. In designing and producing the template, both the requirements for ensuring consistency with the ballot paper and the practical recommendations of experts and Braille users themselves were taken into account," - said CEC member Lyazzat Suyindik.

The Braille template is not the only means available to enable persons with disabilities to access the necessary information and vote independently. Each polling station has a specially designated accessibility area equipped with a computer and a monitor with a screen diagonal of at least 54 centimetres. The computer contains audio information about the seven political parties that have nominated party lists, presented in a standardized format containing the information prescribed by the Central Election Commission, as well as other audio and video materials. The accessibility area is also equipped with headphones, additional lighting, and a magnifying glass.

Speaking on the second item of the agenda, Deputy Chairman of the Central Election Commission Mukhtar Yerman noted that the accreditation of international observers ended the day before, on August 17.

"121 observers from 18 foreign countries and 5 international organizations have been submitted to the Central Election Commission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for accreditation. Including eight people from the CIS Observer Mission, four candidates from the IPA CIS, seven observers from the OSCE/ODIHR Mission, six candidates from the SCO Mission, three observers from the Turkic Academy. As well as 93 observers from countries such as China, the United States, Thailand, Great Britain, Turkiye, Mongolia, India, Indonesia, France, Iraq, Slovakia, Uzbekistan, the Philippines, Japan, Belgium, Jordan, Serbia and Turkmenistan," - Mukhtar Yerman informed.

Thus, a total 777 international observers have been accredited to observe the elections of deputies of the Kurultai. This includes 160 observers from 42 foreign countries and 617 representatives of 13 international organizations. There are also 138 members of parliament from 41 countries among the observers.

"The number of international observers demonstrates the high level of international interest in the elections to the Kurultai. Their presence contributes to the openness and transparency of the electoral campaign. This confirms our commitment to our international obligations, as well as the continuation of close cooperation with international organizations and foreign countries in the electoral sphere. I would also like to note the participation of our colleagues from the central election authorities of other countries and thank them for their continued interest in the electoral campaigns held in Kazakhstan. Representatives of the central election authorities of 22 states will take part in observing the elections to the Kurultai, including 11 chairpersons of election commissions," - Nurlan Abdirov concluded.

Following the meeting, members of the Central Election Commission answered journalists’ questions during the traditional media briefing.