NURLAN ABDIROV MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR 

EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF ITALY TO 

KAZAKHSTAN ANTONELLO DE RIU

Today, Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurlan Abdirov discussed prospects for strengthening cooperation in the electoral sphere with Antonello De Riu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

During the meeting, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission provided the diplomat with a detailed overview of the reforms being implemented in Kazakhstan, as well as the electoral campaigns held in the country.

“The year 2026 holds a special place in Kazakhstan’s modern political history. As part of the country’s large-scale political transformation, a nationwide referendum was held in March, resulting in the adoption of a new Constitution. In August, the first-ever elections of deputies to the unicameral Kurultai took place. Elections of deputies of maslikhats at all levels are scheduled for November 29, during which more than 3,000 deputies will be elected. These are not separate electoral campaigns, but successive stages of a single, comprehensive constitutional process,” Nurlan Abdirov emphasized.

The meeting also addressed the outcomes of efforts to organize international observation of the Kurultai elections. The high level of openness of the electoral process was highlighted. In total, 777 international observers from 42 foreign countries and 13 international organizations were accredited by the Central Election Commission.

Nurlan Abdirov also highlighted the established and active cooperation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which are regularly invited to observe and participate in monitoring all nationwide elections.

“We consistently adhere to the principle of openness and invite election observers from countries across all continents, as well as from international organizations. We are interested in the experience of different electoral systems and therefore remain open to expanding the geographical scope of our cooperation. Whenever possible, our representatives also participate in international election observation missions abroad. In this regard, we are ready to establish cooperation between the electoral authorities of Kazakhstan and Italy to facilitate the exchange of experience, mutual participation in election observation missions, and engagement in international forums,” the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan stated.

Antonello De Riu also expressed interest in establishing an institutional dialogue in the electoral sphere and further strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The two sides also discussed the importance of enhancing cooperation aimed at strengthening public confidence in the electoral system and countering cyber threats and deepfakes.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Nurlan Abdirov presented the diplomat with an English-language edition of the publication “Elections in Kazakhstan: concise and to the point,” dedicated to the electoral system of the Republic of Kazakhstan.