The ideas voiced at Kazakhstan’s National Kurultai have reached the global stage. A delegation of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan, led by its Chair Nurlan Abdirov, is taking part in an international conference on democracy and election management currently underway in New Delhi, India, DKNews.kz reports.
The event is jointly organized by the Election Commission of India and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), an organization with Permanent Observer status at the United Nations and a partner of the European Union in implementing key democratic initiatives. Representatives of election authorities from 43 countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas and other regions are participating in the forum.
Kazakhstan’s electoral reforms in the global spotlight
During the conference, Nurlan Abdirov spoke at the plenary session of heads of election management bodies, as well as at the Global Thematic Session titled “Independent and Professional Election Management Bodies for Sustainable Democracy.”
In his presentation, titled “Reform of Kazakhstan’s Electoral System: Professionalization of Election Management Bodies,” the Chair of the CEC outlined the transformation of the country’s electoral system within the framework of the constitutional reforms initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in 2022.
Kazakhstan has modernized its election system and revised the procedure for forming representative bodies of power. One of the key milestones highlighted was the renewal of the corps of rural akims, which strengthened local self-governance and expanded citizen participation at the grassroots level.
National Kurultai ideas resonate internationally
During meetings and discussions with election officials from Europe, the Americas, Asia and other regions, Abdirov also presented the core ideas voiced by the President of Kazakhstan at the Fifth National Kurultai.
International experts were briefed on:
- the priorities of Kazakhstan’s further political evolution,
- plans to transition to a unicameral Parliament,
- efforts to strengthen the institutional framework of the state,
- and the decision to establish a Constitutional Commission and submit proposed amendments to the Constitution to a nationwide referendum.
These initiatives sparked strong interest among participants, who noted Kazakhstan’s approach as an example of gradual political modernization combined with public involvement in decision-making.
Conference work continues
The international conference in New Delhi is ongoing. As part of the program, Mukhtar Yerman, Deputy Chair of the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan, is scheduled to deliver a presentation on current issues in electoral training for election organizers in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan’s participation in the forum reflects the growing international interest in the country’s reform agenda and demonstrates Astana’s readiness for open dialogue and exchange of best practices in the field of democracy and election governance.
