CIS Observers Praise Kazakhstan’s Smooth Nuclear Referendum Process
ASTANA – The national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan is moving forward smoothly, according to Leonid Anfimov, the head of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) observer mission. Anfimov stated that the referendum is being conducted in full compliance with Kazakhstan’s laws governing referendums and election campaigns.
The CIS observer mission is actively monitoring both the preparation and conduct of the referendum, with 74 accredited representatives from various countries such as Azerbaijan, Belarus, the Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. They have been working closely with the Central Election Commission, district and local referendum commissions to ensure a high level of readiness for the referendum.
Anfimov commended the efforts of the commission in preparing for the referendum, including training sessions, seminars, equipping polling stations, and compiling voter lists. He mentioned that international observers have been deployed across the country, covering nine regions.
The Central Election Commission has accredited 177 observers from 30 countries and four international organizations, including the CIS Observer Mission, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Organisation of Turkic States, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA). Anfimov expressed confidence in the full observation coverage across Kazakhstan with the support of bilateral and international organizations.
While addressing occasional issues of voters not finding their names on the lists, Anfimov assured that such situations are rare and can be resolved satisfactorily. He emphasized that voting is proceeding strictly in accordance with Kazakhstan’s laws, with no violations observed so far.
Anfimov, who has previous experience observing elections in Kazakhstan, noted that voter turnout remains high based on his observations at the polling stations. He anticipates a turnout ranging from 60% to 80% due to the significance of the referendum. Anfimov highlighted the importance of voter participation in making a democratic decision on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan.
