In-shik Chang: The Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan is our gateway to the Turkic world

At the invitation of the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurlan Abdirov, the first official visit of the Secretary General of the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) Dr. In-sik Jang, took place in Kazakhstan from May 12 to 16, 2025.

On May 14, 2025, in the city of Turkistan, as part of his official visit, the Secretary General of A-WEB participated in and delivered a speech at the signing ceremony of the Regulation on the Advisory Platform of Central Election Authorities (APCEA) of the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), as well as at the International Scientific and Practical Conference titled “The Turkic World: Traditions, Practice, and Prospects for the Development of Electoral Systems.”

On May 16, 2025, in Astana, at the office of the Central Election Commission, Dr. In-sik Jang held a meeting with the Chairman of the CEC of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurlan Abdirov. The meeting was also attended by CEC members, staff of the Commission's office, representatives of the Republican State Enterprise “Engineering and Technical Center of the CEC RK,” and members of territorial election commissions from Astana and its districts.

During the meeting, the parties discussed key areas of cooperation, exchanged information and experience in organizing elections, the use of digital technologies in electoral processes, voter information efforts, and the issue of combating disinformation during electoral periods.

The Chairman of the CEC RK thanked Dr. In-sik Jang for accepting the invitation and noted the fruitful cooperation with the Association. He also reaffirmed the Commission’s interest in further expanding collaboration with electoral bodies of other countries and international organizations.

In turn, Dr. Jang expressed his appreciation to the CEC RK for its constructive cooperation and contribution to the development of international partnerships in the electoral field, highlighting Kazakhstan’s active role in the Association and the country’s commitment to openness and inclusivity in conducting elections.

He also praised Kazakhstan’s efforts in developing its electoral system and acknowledged the country's overall progress under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

"We consider the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan as our gateway to the Turkic world. For successful cooperation, we believe it is crucial to exchange technologies at this stage. We have great expectations for further prospective cooperation. I hope that the Advisory Platform of Electoral Authorities of the Organization of Turkic States will become a useful mechanism not only for our generation but for future generations as well. This platform will systematize our cooperation with Kazakhstan and other Turkic world countries, and we are very grateful for the creation of such an effective mechanism for close interaction," emphasized the head of the Association of World Election Bodies.

In addition, Dr. Jang spoke about global trends in the electoral field and the digitalization of electoral processes, noting that Korea does not use electronic voting systems due to the lack of public consensus and voters’ distrust of digital electoral technologies.

The meeting was held in an open, friendly, and professional atmosphere. Both sides confirmed their intention to continue bilateral dialogue and to exchange information and experience in the organization and conduct of elections.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Nurlan Abdirov presented Dr. In-sik Jang with a collection of materials from the International Conference “Constitutional Reform and the Electoral System,” dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan.