Kazakh electoral commission baulks at cost of reprinting ballot papers

The Central Electoral Commission [CEC] has received an application from the Republican People's Party of Kazakhstan [RPPK] to withdraw the party list of its candidates for the Majlis [lower house of Kazakh parliament]. Coming 11 days before polling day [scheduled for 10th October] this demarche by RPPK members could entail more budget spending. The CEC has not decided as yet whether it is worth reprinting millions of ballot papers, but it is hardly likely that the CEC will agree to the expenditure entailed. Begzhan Idirisov has the details:

[Idirisov] The CEC started to discuss the application by the RPPK to withdraw its party list today [29th September]. Yesterday [28th September], CEC Secretary Yelena Kuleshova said that despite the application to withdraw the list, the RPPK might still run to contest seats in parliament. The CEC was wondering whether the RPPK had the decision by a party congress which is necessary in such a case. However, yesterday evening a copy of such a congress resolution was sent to the CEC.

[Amirzhan Kosanov, acting deputy chairman of the RPPK executive committee] The CEC received a congress document stating that if [former prime minister and RPPK leader Akezhan] Kazhegeldin is not registered [as a candidate for the Majlis] we will withdraw the party list. The CEC received this document before 9th September. [Idirisov] Like it or not, 18 days passed since the day when it became clear that Akezhan Kazhegeldin would be excluded from the party list up to the public announcement of withdrawal . The executive committee of the RPPK says that at the time the party was fighting for Kazhegeldin's release. He was detained by Russian police at Sheremetevo-2 [airport in Moscow]. The RPPK demarche has put the CEC in a difficult situation. With 11 days to go before the elections, obviously the commission has to either keep the RPPK in the race or reprint several million ballot papers.

[Zagipa Baliyeva, chairman of the CEC] If the question arises, and the CEC decides to remove the political party, then that involves considerable financial expenditure. They should have adopted this decision earlier.

[Passage omitted: CEC is investigating RPPK claims that they have been obstructed in their election campaign. RPPK candidates are continuing campaigning in single-seat electoral districts]