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2008 Assessment

Kazakhstan: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Kazakhstan: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Voting & Citizen Participation
Indicators		Score
14	Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?	100
15	Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?	67
16	Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?	75

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?

14a: In law, universal and equal adult suffrage is guaranteed to all citizens.

Score:

YES

Comments: Universal active suffrage: the right of citizens of Kazakhstan to vote in elections after each person reaches 18 years of age, regardless of origin; social, official or property status; sex; race; nationality; language; religion, beliefs; residence; or any other circumstance.

Passive universal suffrage: the right of citizens to be elected president, deputy of Parliament, or maslihat (deputy) or member of other institutions of local government.

References: Constitutional law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sept., 28, 1999, #2464 (with changes and additions in accordance with the state on June 19, 2007), Article 4

14b: In law, there is a legal framework requiring that elections be held at regular intervals.

Score:

YES

Comments: The next presidential election is carried out on the first Sunday of December and cannot coincide with elections of new members of Parliament.

References: Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan (adopted on referendum in August,30,1995) (with changes and additions in accordance with the state on May 21, 2007), Article 41

Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?

15a: In practice, all adult citizens can vote.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Alibekov Saylau, professor, Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages, July, 20, 2008, Almaty

Kozyreva Evgeniya, president of the Feminist League, Aug. 4, 2008, Almaty, Kazakhstan

15b: In practice, ballots are secret or equivalently protected.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Alibekov Saylau, professor, Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages, July, 20, 2008, Almaty

Kozyreva Evgeniya, president of the Feminist League, Aug. 4, 2008, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Peer Review Comments: There is an electronic system of voting and many people are concerned that it can be easily manipulated. Also electoral commissions have been controlled by the executive and subsequently "wok red " with the ballots to provide victory to the incumbent party. The opposition has been trying to sue the government without success.

15c: In practice, elections are held according to a regular schedule.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Alibekov Saylau, professor, Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages, July, 20, 2008, Almaty

Kozyreva Evgeniya, president of the Feminist League, Aug. 4, 2008, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Peer Review Comments: Elections in Kazakhstan are held regularly, but Parliament has been dissolved quite often on different pretexts, that the regular scheduling of the elections is questionable.

Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?

16a: In law, all citizens have a right to form political parties.

Score:

YES

Comments: 1. Citizens shall have the right to freely associate with political parties. 2. A citizens may be a member of only one political party. 3. Membership in a political party may not serve as the ground for limiting the rights or freedoms of the citizen. 4. Everyone has the right to specify or to not specify which party he/she belongs to.

References: Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan, July 15, 2002, 344-II (with changes and additions as of May 15, 2007), Article 3

16b: In law, all citizens have a right to run for political office.

Score:

YES

Comments: Public service is based on principles, among them the equal right of citizens to access public service and promotions based on his/her abilities and vocational training.

References: Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on state service, July 23, 1999 , 453-I (with changes and additions in accordance with the state on July 27, 2007), Article 3

16c: In practice, all citizens are able to form political parties.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: While there is no guarantee of electoral success, political parties can form freely without opposition. <p>50 Score Criteria: Some barriers to formation are present, such as burdensome registration requirements that may not be fairly applied. Some parties\' political viewpoints may draw pressure from the government, such as surveillance or intimidation. Some political parties or organizations may have extra barriers to getting on a ballot. <p>0 Score Criteria: Some political parties are effectively barred from forming through some manner of official or unofficial pressure. This may include threats, arrest, or violence from competing parties or other groups.$

Comments:

References: Alibekov Saylau, professor, Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages, July, 20, 2008, Almaty

Kozyreva Evgeniya, president of the Feminist League, Aug. 4, 2008, Almaty, Kazakhstan

16d: In practice, all citizens can run for political office.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Alibekov Saylau, professor, Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages, July, 20, 2008, Almaty

Kozyreva Evgeniya, president of the Feminist League, Aug. 4, 2008, Almaty, Kazakhstan

16e: In practice, an opposition party is represented in the legislature.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The opposition party always has some influence on the proceedings of the legislature. The opposition party can introduce legislation or bring pending matters to a vote without the consent of the ruling party. <p>50 Score Criteria: The opposition party has influence on the proceeding of the legislature, but it is limited in scope. The opposition\'s ability to force votes or publicly debate certain topics may be limited. <p>0 Score Criteria: The opposition party has only token participation in the legislature\'s proceedings and cannot advance legislation or force a debate.$

Comments: Parliaments leading party is "Nur-Otan."

References: Alibekov Saylau, professor, Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages, July, 20, 2008, Almaty

Kozyreva Evgeniya, president of the Feminist League, Aug. 4, 2008, Almaty, Kazakhstan