Kazakhstani presidential election, 1999

system of government.cite news
title = Kazakhstan's Empty Election
publisher = The New York Times
date = November 9, 1998
url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DEEDF103EF93AA35752C1A96E958260
accessdate = 2008-06-24] [OSCE-ODIHR, 3, 19-21.] Olcott, 119.] cite news
author = Smith, Christopher
title = Kazakhstan's Presidential Election - Extension of Remarks by Rep. Christopher H. Smith
publisher = U.S. House of Representatives
date = March 16, 1999
url = http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/election/kazakhstan/crissmit.html
accessdate = 2008-06-24]

Background

Kazakhstan's second presidential election was originally scheduled to occur in 1996. After the 1995 constitutional referendum the date was then set to be in December 2000. Parliamentary action in the fall of 1998, however, ultimately resulted in the election occurring in early 1999.

On October 7, 1998, nineteen amendments to the constitution were passed by Parliament and signed into law by President Nazarbayev. One amendment to article 94 reads:quote box2
align = center
width = 600px
bgcolor = #EBEBEB
halign = left
quote=By consent of the President of the Republic of Kazakstan the present term of the powers of the President of the Republic may be reduced by resolution of the Parliament of the Republic, adopted at the joint session of its Chambers by the majority of votes of the total number of deputies of each Chamber. In such case the Majilis of the Parliament within one month shall order elections of the President of the Republic of Kazakstan.
salign = right
source = — "Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Article 94" [ [http://www.legislationline.org/upload/legislations/81/9b/5e3433aadd3a9d28d35c4ca1d98a.htm Constitution of Kazakhstan] Legislation Online]

Acting under this new amendment, the following day Parliament asked Nazarbayev to shorten his current term in office. The president agreed, after which the Majilis set January 10, 1999 as the date for new elections. [cite web
title = From "Democratization" To Snap Presidential Elections
publisher = Human Rights Watch
url = http://www.hrw.org/reports/1999/kazakhstan/Kaz1099b-03.htm
accessdate = 2008-06-24] [OSCE-ODIHR, 7.]

The main opposition candidate, Akezhan Kazhegeldin, was barred from running in the election, a move criticized by many observers.cite news
title = OSCE wants Kazakhstan election postponed
publisher = BBC
date = December 3, 1998
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/227234.stm
accessdate = 2008-06-24] A recently passed law prohibited anyone convicted of a crime from running in the election. Kazhegeldin had recently been convicted of participating in an unsanctioned election rally, thereby becoming ineligible to seek office.

Results

For the first time in a Kazakhstani election, ballots included an option to vote against all candidates. [OSCE-ODIHR, 8.] Nazarbayev's party, the Party of People's Unity of Kazakhstan, was reformed into the Otan Party two months after the election. [Olcott, 93.]

Criticism

Even before the election, groups such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) expressed concern about the short preparation and campaigning period. OSCE pressed the Kazakhstani government to postpone the election so that all candidates could have adequate time to campaign, but to no avail.OSCE-ODIHR, 3.] U.S. Vice President Al Gore called Nazarbayev in November 1998 to express concerns about the upcoming election.

The lack of fair access to mass media also concerned many observers. According to OSCE, most major media outlets focused disproportionately on Nazarbayev. [OSCE-ODIHR, 12-14.]

Serikbolsyn Abdilin, the runner-up in the election, claimed widespread voter fraud and a failure to properly count ballots. [ [http://www.rferl.org/newsline/1999/01/2-tca/tca-130199.asp Defeated Communist Candidate to Protest Kazakhstan Election Outcome] Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (January 13, 1999)]

The U.S. Department of State commented that the undemocratic nature of the elections "cast a shadow on bilateral relations".

Notes

References

* Citation
last = Olcott
first = Martha Brill
title = Kazakhstan: Unfulfilled Promise
publisher = Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
date = 2002
location = Washington, D.C.
isbn = 0-87003-188-0
* cite web
last = OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
authorlink = Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
title = The Republic of Kazakstan Presidential Election, 10 January 1999 - Assessment Mission
publisher = Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
date = February 5, 1999
url = http://www.osce.org/documents/odihr/1999/02/1263_en.pdf
format = PDF
accessdate = 2008-06-24