Development of Electoral Systems in Turkic States 

discussed in Kazakhstan

On May 14, 2025, in the city of Turkistan, the Regulation on the Advisory Platform of Central Election Authorities (APCEA) of the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was signed. On the same day, the International Scientific and Practical Conference titled "The Turkic World: Traditions, Practice, and Prospects for the Development of Electoral Systems" was held, organized by the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan in cooperation with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The events were attended by the heads and representatives of the central election authorities of OTS Member States - Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, and the observer state Hungary. Also present were representatives of four prominent international organizations - OTS, the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB), the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA), and the Turkic Academy. Scholars from OTS countries, members of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, members of the Expert Council under the CEC of Kazakhstan, and the chairpersons of territorial election commissions from the regions and the cities of Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent also participated.

During the plenary session of the International Scientific and Practical Conference "The Turkic World: Traditions, Practice, and Prospects for the Development of Electoral Systems", the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan Nurlan Abdirov emphasized the importance of strengthening international electoral cooperation and highlighted the historical and spiritual significance of Turkistan as a symbol of unity in the Turkic world. He also presented information on the transformation of Kazakhstan’s electoral system in the context of the Constitutional Reform initiated by the President of the country, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek, Secretary General of the OTS Kubanychbek Omuraliev, and the heads of the central election authorities of Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, and Uzbekistan. The speakers stressed the importance of sharing experiences and preserving traditional foundations of electoral systems.

The conference featured a professional dialogue and a constructive and fruitful exchange of experiences in the development of electoral systems in the Turkic states. The results of the conference are expected to contribute to the further improvement of legal frameworks and the practice of electoral systems in OTS member states.

The conference continued with two parallel sessions dedicated to the historical and contemporary experiences of electoral systems in Turkic countries.

Session 1: "Traditions of Elections in Turkic Communities"

The session was moderated by Darhan Kydyrali, Member of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, Secretary of the Committee on International Relations, Defense and Security, Doctor of History, Doctor of Philosophy, and Professor.

Discussions focused on the historical aspects of power formation in Turkic states. Scholars from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkiye presented reports on the election of khagans, judicial practices of the biys, steppe democracy in the Golden Horde, political reforms and electoral processes in Turkiye, and the centuries-old electoral traditions of nomadic states in the Eurasian space.

Session 2: "Analysis of Electoral Systems of Turkic States: Achievements and Prospects"

This session was moderated by Nurlan Dulatbekov, Rector of Buketov Karaganda University, Doctor of Law, and Professor. Scholars presented reports on the current state and development prospects of electoral processes in Turkic countries. Topics included transformation and continuity of public will institutions, modern trends in electoral law, mechanisms for ensuring voters’ rights, and new trends in election campaigning.

At the conclusion of the conference, the Turkistan Resolution was adopted. In it, participants reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening democratic institutions and electoral processes and emphasized that the conference would give new impetus to engaging scholars and experts from across the Turkic community in discussions on improving electoral systems and enhancing public trust in them.

The participants also recommended that the authorized bodies of OTS member states support joint scientific research and the organization of scientific and practical conferences in the field of electoral processes.

Conference materials will be published in a collection in Kazakh and English.