Events

Central election commissions of Belarus, Kazakhstan sign memorandum of cooperation

MINSK, 22 August (BelTA) – The Central Election Commissions of Belarus and Kazakhstan have officially formalized their partnership with a memorandum of cooperation. The document was signed by the heads of the two election bodies in Astana on 22 August, BelTA learned from the press service of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Belarus.

The signing of the memorandum marked an important milestone in strengthening interagency cooperation. The document provides for the long-term exchange of experience in electoral legislation, enhancing voters’ legal awareness, developing digital electoral technologies and training election organizers.

“We have worked out the issues and signed a cooperation memorandum providing for the exchange of information and experience, relevant internships in electoral law and technologies, and exchanges of delegations to observe elections and referendums. In my view, the agreement expands the forms of cooperation, which helps enrich the positive experience accumulated by each country,” Igor Karpenko said.

The international status of the event gave it particular significance: representatives of election bodies from 22 countries officially witnessed the signing of the memorandum.

The international expert community highly praised Belarus’ overall openness to constructive dialogue with foreign partners, Minsk’s readiness to share advanced electoral practices and work together with foreign counterparts to improve election standards.

During Igor Karpenko’s meeting with Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan Nurlan Abdirov, the parties discussed key aspects of cooperation between the election bodies of the two countries.

The heads of the election bodies reached a firm agreement to continue joint work aimed at exchanging experience in improving electoral processes and introducing modern election technologies.

Particular attention was paid to multilateral cooperation. Igor Karpenko highly praised the joint work and highlighted the significant personal contribution of Nurlan Abdirov to the activities of the CIS Advisory Council of Heads of Electoral Bodies. According to Igor Karpenko, Nurlan Abdirov’s constructive position helps enhance the council’s effectiveness and strengthen partnership ties across the CIS countries.

During his official visit to Kazakhstan, Igor Karpenko will take part in international observation of the elections of deputies of the Kurultai. The Belarusian delegation arrived in Astana at night.

Asked about the work of the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan one day before the elections, Igor Karpenko said he had been briefed by the Kazakh side. The visit was preceded by a telephone conversation between the heads of the two election bodies.

“We are studying the information sources involved in preparing and holding the elections in Kazakhstan. We can say that everything is proceeding in accordance with the legislation and Constitution of Kazakhstan,” he said.

The Belarusian delegation was also briefed on the extensive work carried out by the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan to organize all commissions, so that the 23 August elections of deputies of the Kurultai are held in accordance with the law and the people can elect a legitimate parliament in its new format.