23.08.2012
OSCE/ODIHR issues different conclusions during and after Kazakhstan elections
MINSK, 23 August (BelTA) – The post-election conclusions made by the OSCE/ODIHR observers in Kazakhstan were absolutely different from those made during the elections, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Belarus Ergali Bulegenov told reporters on 23 August, BelTA has learnt.
“During the parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan the OSCE/ODIHR observers could see with their own eyes the openness and transparency of the process and equality of all the candidates. However, the post-election evaluation contained absolutely different conclusions compared to those that were made during the preparation and conduct of the elections. This fact was pointed out by independent observers. There are double standards. It was obvious,” the diplomat said.
Ergali Bulegenov noted that the double standards were noticed not only by independent observers from the CIS, but also European observers. “They were also surprised about the evaluation,” the ambassador said. He added that Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev said after the elections that it probably does not make sense to invite OSCE observers in the future. “He did not say it point-blank, but noted that Kazakhstan should think whether or not to invite them,” Ergali Bulegenov said.
The ambassador informed that 34 representatives of Kazakhstan will monitor the parliamentary elections in Belarus; four of them will be among the OSCE short-term and one among long-term observers.
“I really hope for the unbiased attitude of those who come to monitor the elections. I do not think that anyone is pressurized during the preparation for the elections. I think all the parties are provided with equal terms. No extraordinary things,” the diplomat said.
He reminded that Kazakhstan presided over the OSCE in 2010, “President of Kazakhstan put forward many initiatives to refresh this organization and bring something new”. It was during Kazakhstan’s presidency that the OSCE summit was held for the first time in 11 years.
“During the parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan the OSCE/ODIHR observers could see with their own eyes the openness and transparency of the process and equality of all the candidates. However, the post-election evaluation contained absolutely different conclusions compared to those that were made during the preparation and conduct of the elections. This fact was pointed out by independent observers. There are double standards. It was obvious,” the diplomat said.
Ergali Bulegenov noted that the double standards were noticed not only by independent observers from the CIS, but also European observers. “They were also surprised about the evaluation,” the ambassador said. He added that Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev said after the elections that it probably does not make sense to invite OSCE observers in the future. “He did not say it point-blank, but noted that Kazakhstan should think whether or not to invite them,” Ergali Bulegenov said.
The ambassador informed that 34 representatives of Kazakhstan will monitor the parliamentary elections in Belarus; four of them will be among the OSCE short-term and one among long-term observers.
“I really hope for the unbiased attitude of those who come to monitor the elections. I do not think that anyone is pressurized during the preparation for the elections. I think all the parties are provided with equal terms. No extraordinary things,” the diplomat said.
He reminded that Kazakhstan presided over the OSCE in 2010, “President of Kazakhstan put forward many initiatives to refresh this organization and bring something new”. It was during Kazakhstan’s presidency that the OSCE summit was held for the first time in 11 years.