From the
Mendeleyev Journal:
Sunday was election day in for citizens of Kazakhstan. The turnout of nearly 90 percent appeared difficult to fathom given the fact the opposition refused to participate. Independent monitors cited early indications that the turnout had been artificially boosted.
Voters turned out in record numbers according to the election commission for a Sunday in Kazakhstan that was guaranteed to overwhelmingly reaffirm President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s rule of the oil-rich Central Asian nation. In neighboring Belarus polling stations specifically for Kazakhstan citizens residing in Belarus were open until 8pm.
Nazarabayev had formerly declared himself as “President for Life” but backed down after intense pressure from the West, opting instead to call a nationwide referendum with Nazarabayev as the main candidate.
Early voters and 18-year-olds casting their ballot for the first time were rewarded with household goods, such as food blenders and electric kettles. Nazarbayev, a 70-year-old former Communist party boss, has ruled mainly Muslim Kazakhstan unchallenged since the 1980s, when it was still part of the Soviet Union.
Opposition politicians refused to take part in the election, called for a boycott and described the vote as a sham. Monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have reported numerous violations.
Preliminary results will be announced early Monday.
In other news around the former Soviet UnionRussian President Medvedev sent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko a congratulatory message on the Day of Unity between the Peoples of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.
The telegram acknowledged “Our nations are linked by strong bonds of common history, friendship and centuries-long brotherhood. This makes us particularly responsible for effectively promoting Russian-Belarusian integration cooperation based on the principles of equality and mutual advantage.”
Mr Medvedev wrote, “I am certain this meets the fundamental interests of the peoples of Russia and Belarus, and ensures stability and security on the European continent.”
