Askar Mustabekov: All Necessary Conditions Have Been Created for Kazakhstani Servicemen to Vote at the Referendum

On March 14, in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, a meeting was held between the group of international observers from the CSTO PA and the leadership of the country’s Ministry of Defence as part of the international election observation mission.

The CSTO PA delegation was led by Kyrgyzstan’s representative, Ulukbek Uzakbaev. Askar Mustabekov, deputy Minister of Defence of Kazakhstan, took part in the meeting on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

The focus of the meeting was ensuring the electoral rights of servicemen and their families both in Kazakhstan and abroad.

"The participation of the observer mission is a testament to our country’s openness and its commitment to democratic values," Askar Mustabekov pointed out.

He briefed the international observers on the Ministry's work. The deputy Defence Minister stressed that the Ministry of Defence has taken all the necessary measures to create conditions for the military personnel of the Armed Forces to freely exercise their constitutional right to vote. A total of 24 polling stations have been set up on the premises of military units and institutions where soldiers and cadets can vote. Abroad, polling stations have been organized at the country’s embassies and consulates-general.

In addition, Askar Mustabekov reported that, on the eve of the referendum, members of the Senate and the Mazhilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan conducted extensive outreach efforts with servicemen regarding the draft of the new Constitution. 

Ulukbek Uzakbaev, coordinator of the CSTO PA observer group, thanked the Kazakhstani side for transparency. He praised the high level of cooperation between the CSTO PA observer mission and the government agencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan.