| 30.04.2026 |
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OTS Countries Consolidate Efforts to Counter Disinformation
in the Electoral Process
The Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted the first online meeting of the Working Group on the Impact of Deepfakes on the Electoral Process, held within the framework of the Advisory Platform of Central Election Authorities of the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the election authorities of Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, as well as representatives of relevant government agencies and expert organizations of Kazakhstan.
Opening the event, Lyazzat Suyindik, Member of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Chair of the Working Group, emphasized the growing importance of information risks for electoral processes:
“Amid the development of artificial intelligence, disinformation is becoming a factor of electoral security. The key task is not only to identify it, but also to reduce its impact in a timely manner, while ensuring citizens’ access to reliable information and effective response mechanisms.”
The participants reviewed approaches applied globally - ranging from establishing standards of good-faith conduct for campaign participants to mandatory labelling of synthetic content and restrictions on the most dangerous forms of interference in the information environment. It was emphasized that the greatest effectiveness is achieved through a comprehensive combination of preventive and operational measures.
During the meeting, information was presented on the digitalization policy being implemented in Kazakhstan. It was underlined that the development of artificial intelligence is enshrined among the state’s strategic priorities, including in the provisions of the new Constitution adopted at the national referendum on 15 March 2026. Particular attention is being paid to the protection of personal data, citizens’ digital rights, and the formation of a resilient institutional system for managing digital transformation.
A separate section was devoted to practical measures to counter disinformation. Ruslan Bekarslanov, Head of the Information and Coordination Center of the Central Communications Service under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, presented practical experience in responding to information manipulation during the national referendum.
Mikhail Komissarov, Director of the Republican State Enterprise “Center for Analysis and Monitoring”, delivered a report on tools for monitoring and identifying destructive content in the digital environment.
National approaches to countering disinformation and regulating the use of artificial intelligence in electoral processes were also presented.
Uzarbek Zhylkybayev, Member of the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda of the Kyrgyz Republic, spoke about mechanisms for the pre-trial resolution of information disputes and the work of 74 civic education centers.
Yusuf Şafak, Director General of the Supreme Election Council of the Republic of Türkiye, noted the existence of an institutional group under the President and legislation aimed at countering disinformation.
Gulnoza Rakhimova, Permanent Member of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan, shared information on the rules governing the use of artificial intelligence in election campaigning.
Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their interest in further developing cooperation and coordinating efforts to counter disinformation in the electoral sphere. The work will be aimed at increasing the transparency of electoral processes, strengthening public trust, and developing coordinated approaches to ensuring information security.
For reference: The initiative to establish the Advisory Platform of Central Election Authorities of the OTS Member States was put forward by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on 3 November 2023 at the 10th Summit in Astana. The proposal was supported by all Member States and reflected in the Bishkek Declaration of the 11th OTS Summit on 6 November 2024.
The first meeting of the Platform was held on 14 May 2025 in Turkestan. At the Working Meeting held on 28 November 2025 in Bishkek, a decision was adopted to establish the Working Group on the Impact of Deepfakes on the Electoral Process. Its tasks include monitoring and assessing risks, developing response mechanisms, and ensuring the prompt exchange of information among the election authorities of the OTS countries.
- Abai Region
- Akmola Region
- Aktobe Region
- Almaty Region
- Atyrau Region
- West Kazakhstan Region
- Zhambyl Region
- Zhetysu Region
- Karaganda Region
- Kostanay Region
- Kyzylorda Region
- Mangystau Region
- Pavlodar Region
- North Kazakhstan Region
- Turkestan Region
- Ulytau Region
- East Kazakhstan Region


