Under the chairmanship of the Central Election Commission of 

Kazakhstan, the 7th meeting of the Consultative Council of Heads of Election 

Bodies of the CIS Member States was held

On  February 19, 2025, the 7th meeting of the Consultative Council of Heads of Election Bodies of the CIS Member States was held in Saint Petersburg under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan.

The event was attended by heads and representatives of the central election bodies of CIS Member States, the leadership of the CIS Executive Committee and the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member States, the International Institute for Monitoring Democracy Development, Parliamentarism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens of IPA CIS (IPA CIS IIMDD), as well as the Working Group on Youth Policy in the Electoral Sphere under the Consultative Council.

The meeting was also attended by Ahmet Yener, Chairman of the Supreme Election Council of the Republic of Türkiye, and Veljko Perović, Member of the Republic Electoral Commission of Serbia.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan, Nurlan Abdirov, informed participants about preparations for the republican referendum scheduled for 15 March 2026. He noted that all preparatory procedures are being carried out in strict accordance with national legislation and the approved calendar plan. Particular attention is being paid to the transparency of procedures, the training of commission members, and the creation of the necessary conditions for all categories of citizens, including persons with disabilities.

“Moreover, we are open to cooperation with international observers and the expert community. I am convinced that our joint efforts will make it possible to ensure that the referendum is conducted at a high organizational level and in full compliance with international standards,” Nurlan Abdirov emphasized.

During the electoral discussion, the Chairmanof the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Armenia, Vahagn Hovakimyan, provided a detailed overview of the preparatory work for the 2026 elections to the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. He noted that, despite the use of ID control in Armenia’s electoral campaign practices, voting itself remains paper-based: voters fill out ballots by hand, and vote counting is conducted in accordance with the procedure established by law. If necessary, this allows for a recount of votes.

Continuing the discussion, a report was delivered by the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, Ella Pamfilova, titled “Elections in Russia – 2026: Challenges and Innovations.”

According to her, even with the availability of alternative ways for citizens to express their will, the primary method remains voting using paper ballots.

The topic of improving electoral processes was also addressed by the Chairman of the Central Commission for Elections and Referendums of the Republic of Tajikistan, Bakhtiyor Khudoyorzoda, who, in an online format, presented brief information on the work carried out and the key directions for the development of the national electoral system.

Remotely, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Zayniddin Nizamkhodjaev, covered the issue of elections to local Kengashes in the context of the updated electoral system, emphasizing legal changes and institutional reforms.

In an online format, Bakhadyr Konurov, Deputy Chairman of the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda of the Kyrgyz Republic, reported on the results of the early elections of deputies to the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic, held on 30 November 2025.

Yelena Baldovskaya, Secretary of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Belarus, reported on the key areas of activity of the Central Election Commission of Belarus during the inter-election period, emphasizing efforts focused on legal education for young people.

As part of the electoral discussion, Dmitry Kobitsky, Secretary General of the Council of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member States, delivered information on the “Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.” The information was taken note of.

On the second agenda item, Yelena Baldovskaya proposed considering the expediency and possible formats of the Consultative Council’s participation in the activities of the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB). Following the discussion, it was decided to forward this proposal for additional review.

On the topic “Law, Rights and Rules in International Observation and Their Impact on Shaping the Electoral Culture of Voters in the CIS Member States,” Ivan Mushket, Deputy Head of the Secretariat of the IPA CIS Council and Director of the International Institute for Monitoring Democracy Development, Parliamentarianism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens of IPA CIS Member States, delivered a presentation, offering an analytical perspective on the development of international observation as a tool for strengthening trust.

On behalf of the members of the Consultative Council, congratulations were extended to the International Institute for Monitoring Democracy Development, Parliamentarianism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens of IPA CIS Member States on the occasion of its 20th anniversary.

Summing up the work, Nurlan Abdirov noted the high level of representation, the substantive nature of the discussions, and their practical relevance. It was emphasized that further cooperation among CIS Member States in the electoral sphere will contribute to strengthening citizens’ trust in the institution of elections and referendums, developing electoral culture, and expanding professional engagement.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants were presented with the book “Elections in Kazakhstan: Briefly and to the Point.” The publication was prepared by the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to systematize key information on elections and is intended for a wide readership.

As part of the international scientific and practical conference “Building Trust in the Institution of Elections and Referendums: The Role of International Observation,” co-organized by the Consultative Council of Heads of Election Bodies of the CIS Member States, a round table was held titled “Artificial Intelligence and Its Application in the Electoral Process: A Comprehensive Approach and Legislative Regulation.” The keynote report at the event was delivered by Shavkhat Utemissov, Secretary of the CEC of Kazakhstan.

According to the Secretary of the CEC of Kazakhstan, today artificial intelligence is becoming a factor of states’ competitiveness and an element of technological sovereignty. AI is increasingly being integrated into electoral processes - from digital services for voters to analytics, cybersecurity, and countering disinformation.

The day before, a meeting of the Working Group on Youth Policy in the Electoral Sphere under the Consultative Council of Heads of Election Bodies of the CIS Member States was held under the chairmanship of Shavkhat Utemissov. Participants reviewed a set of practical approaches to engaging young people in electoral processes – from educational and awareness-raising formats to participation in observation and the work of youth electoral structures – as well as their impact on building trust in elections and strengthening electoral culture.

From the Republic of Kazakhstan, Gulzira Atabayeva shared experience by presenting a model for the systematic integration of youth into the electoral sphere through a network of Young Voters Clubs. She emphasized: “Young people’s attitude towards elections is shaped through understanding and personal participation. The clearer the procedures are explained and the more opportunities there are to ask questions and discuss them, the more meaningful the perception of election bodies becomes.”

Continuing the topic, Amirlan Nurgazin highlighted the importance of scientific support for this work. “When we study how young people perceive elections, we are essentially analysing the future political culture of the country. Science allows us to look deeper – to understand how the digital environment shapes views, which sources of information influence trust, and what determines the willingness to accept voting results,” he noted.

Next, the members of the Working Group took part in a meeting of the international youth discussion club “Tavrichesky,” dedicated to the impact of modern technologies on the development of electoral culture.

In addition, an exhibition was mounted in the Dome Hall during the conference days, serving as a visual chronicle of the evolution of electoral technologies. The display clearly demonstrates how not only the equipment has changed – from bulky wooden ballot boxes to intelligent ballot-processing systems and electronic terminals – but also the very philosophy of election administration: from the mechanics of procedure to an architecture of trust.