CEC meeting on voter lists and accreditation of international observers

On December 22, 2020, meeting of Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held in which representatives of political parties, OSCE/ODIHR Mission, CIS Mission, Chairmen of territorial election commissions, heads of akimat administrations of regions, cities of republican significance and the capital took part in videoconferencing mode, and representatives of mass media - online.

Session addressed two issues:

1. On submission of voter lists to election commissions at regular elections of deputies of the Mazhilis of the Parliament and maslikhats of the Republic of Kazakhstan, scheduled for January 10, 2021;

2. On accreditation of observers of international organizations and foreign states for regular elections of deputies of the Mazhilis of the Parliament and Maslikhats of the Republic of Kazakhstan, scheduled for January 10, 2021.

Deputy Chairman of Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan Konstantin Petrov made a report on the first issue of the agenda.

He reported on work carried out by the Central Election Commission to inform citizens on their verification and inclusion in voter lists. Thus, within the framework of the electoral campaign, the CEC held a separate meeting devoted to work with voter lists. Following the meeting, the CEC adopted an Appeal to voters and a poster explaining the procedure on inclusion in voter lists (posted in the media, in public places of settlements, official Internet resources).

In addition, a video clip “On inclusion of citizens in the voters list” was shown 623 times on republican TV channels from November 10 to December 10 of this year. An audio recording on similar topic was aired 642 times on republican radio stations. 10 modules on this issue were printed in print media. The rotation of banner on this topic was ensured on top 5 Internet resources with the number of views - 47.6 million.

Local executive bodies organized work of Call-centers where voters could check their inclusion in voter lists. Call centers have been operating since the beginning of the electoral campaign, during this time they received about 42 thousand calls.

Konstantin Petrov said that every citizen has right to check data about himself in voter lists in the premises of respective election commissions from December 26 this year.

Citizens may appeal against non-inclusion, incorrect inclusion in list or exclusion from the list as well as inaccuracies about voter made in the list. Applications on the need to be included in voter lists, deletion from them, or corrections in the voter lists are considered by the relevant election commission on the day the application is received. In case of a positive decision for the applicant, the correction in the voter list or the inclusion of a non-included voter in the list shall be made by the election commission immediately. If the application is rejected, the election commission shall immediately issue the applicant with a copy of the reasoned decision to reject his application. The decision can be appealed to the appropriate court at the location of the election commission, which considers the complaint on the day it is received. Changes to the voter lists after the start of the vote count is prohibited.

Voter lists by polling stations, in places of temporary residence of citizens (in rest homes, sanatoriums, inpatient medical and preventive establishments, at pasture cattle breeding areas, in pre-trial detention centers and temporary detention facilities, as well as at representative offices of the Republic of Kazakhstan in foreign countries) are presented to voters for familiarization five days before voting day and are subject to mandatory clarification as of the day preceding voting day.

Also, within the framework of the first issue of the agenda, the heads of the akimat administraions of regions, cities of republican significance and the capital spoke. They reported the work on submitting voter lists to election commissions.

Anastassiya Schegortsova, member of the Central Election Commission, made a report on the second issue of the meeting. She said that since opening of the Institute for International Election Observation on October 22, 2020, the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan has accredited 86 observers from 4 international organizations and 5 foreign states.

As of December 22, 2020, another 190 observers from 4 international organizations and 14 foreign states have been submitted for accreditation to the Central Election Commission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

4 international organizations nominated 167 observers: as part of CIS Observer Mission - 142 observers; OSCE Parliamentary Assembly - 9 observers; OSCE/ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission - 2 observers; SCO observer missions - 14 observers.

From 14 foreign countries, 23 candidates were submitted for accreditation, including: from 6 foreign countries - 1 observer each (Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Hungary, Kingdom of Spain, Kingdom of Norway, Russian Federation, French Republic); from 7 foreign countries - 2 observers; (Republic of Armenia, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Uzbekistan, Republic of Turkey, Republic of India, Republic of the Philippines, Swiss Confederation); from Romania - 3 observers.

Based on results of A. Schegortsova's report, members of CEC adopted a Resolution on accreditation of observers from international organizations and foreign states.

Thus, as of December 22, 2020, 276 international observers are accredited.

After the meeting, a briefing for the media took place, at which members of the CEC answered questions from the media.