IPA CIS International Observers Begin Long-Term Monitoring of Election Preparations in Kazakhstan

On 3 August 2026, members of the IPA CIS Observer Team launched long-term monitoring of preparations for the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan. During the first day of their mission, they held meetings with the Central Election Commission (CEC), representatives of political parties and local election officials.

Chairman of the CEC Nurlan Abdirov briefed the observers on preparations for election day. More than 10,600 election commissions will operate across Kazakhstan and abroad. For the first time, polling stations will also be established at continuous-cycle industrial enterprises and in rotational workers' settlements.

Particular attention is being paid to training 71,000 election commission members and ensuring electoral rights for 88,100 voters with disabilities. The voter register currently includes 12,605,788 citizens. Voters without permanent registration will be able to obtain one-day registration at polling stations on election day.

CEC Member Mikhail Bortnik informed the observers about political parties' election funds, noting that campaign finance is capped at 4.2 billion tenge to ensure equal conditions for all contestants.

The observers also met with representatives of the People's Party of Kazakhstan and the Auyl Party. Deputy Chair of the Auyl Party Shakhmardan Baimanov outlined preparations for 4,000 party observers, while Adviser to the Chair of the People's Party of Kazakhstan Lyazzat Suleimen presented the party's "Strength in Everyone" campaign.

The IPA CIS Observer Team also visited the city of Kosshy, where Chair of the Territorial Election Commission Bulat Batalov and city officials presented preparations for voting, including polling station equipment, precinct election commissions and training activities.

During all meetings, the IPA CIS observers outlined the principles and methodology of the Assembly's international election observation mission.