On March 13, TURKPA International Referendum Observation Mission composed of the parliamentarians of Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye and parliamentary staff, as well as representatives of the TURKPA International Secretariat met with the Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurlan Abdirov.
Abdirov highlighted that the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan has been cooperating with TURKPA for many years. He expressed great pleasure in inviting TURKPA to take part in the observation, especially valuing their active involvement. He also thanked TURKPA for participating in such a significant moment for Kazakhstan, noting that the organization has long been engaged in election observation processes in the country. “Thanks to TURKPA, Kazakh observers are also have the opportunity to participate in international election observation missions” - Chairman added.
In his turn, head of Mission, Chairman of the TURKPA Commission on Legal Affairs and International Relations and member of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Osman Mesten expressed his sincere gratitude to Abdirov for the invitation to their “fatherlands” and for the warm reception. He further noted that, in addition to Astana, the TURKPA International Referendum Observation Mission will carry out short-term monitoring in Almaty and Turkistan. He underscored the importance of this referendum and along with the Mission members extended his best wishes to Kazakhstan and its people, emphasizing the significance of this democratic process for the country.
CEC Chairman also informed that Kazakhstan has completed large-scale preparations for its nationwide referendum and more than 10,000 polling stations across the country are fully ready. Abdirov emphasized that the central and territorial referendum commissions have taken all necessary steps to organize and carry out accreditation activities. He noted that the submission, review, and registration of accreditation applications were conducted in accordance with established procedures. Abdirov added that the accreditation process has now been completed, with a total of 256 organizations accredited.
The members of the TURKPA International Referendum Observation Mission - member of the TURKPA Commission on Legal Affairs and International Relations, member of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Malahat Ibrahimgizi, member of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Yrysbek Atazhanov, Secretary of TURKPA Commission Aynura Abutalibova and Secretary of the TURKPA Delegation at the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Kürşat Melih Sarıarslan also attended the meeting.