ODIHR opened election observation mission in Kazakhstan

ASTANA. KAZINFORM - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights opened an election observation mission in Kazakhstan to monitor the early presidential elections scheduled to be held on April 26, 2015.

As the press service head of the mission Cornelia Jonker informed that the delegation of the Bureau arrived in Kazakhstan at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. The mission consists of 12 experts working in Astana and 30 long-term observers, who are expected to work countrywide starting March 31.

"We also have 400 short-term observers, they also represent the OSCE member states. They will arrive a day prior to the elections. They are planned to work in multi-ethnic two-people teams around the country. They will monitor the voting process and vote counting. After the elections, the mission will stay in Kazakhstan until early May to monitor the situation after the elections," C. Jonker said.

According to her, within its duties and responsibilities, the mission will meet with representatives of the state bodies, political parties and candidates and representatives of non-governmental and international organizations and mass media.