| Campaign Updates from Yevgeny Zhovtis | Kazakhstan |
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INFORMATION ON POLITICAL PARTIES PARTICIPATING ON THE BASIS OF PARTY SLATES IN ELECTIONS TO MAJILIS OF PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN
In accordance with Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan" ten Members of Majilis (Lower Chamber of Parliament) are elected on the basis of party slates according to system of proportional representation and territory of national electoral district. On September 13, 1999 Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan announced that there were 84 candidates registered on the basis of party slates of ten parties participating in elections to Majilis. On September 11, 1999 casting of lots defined the order in which political parties will be listed in voting-papers as following:
It was created in October 1991 at 19-th Congress of newly created CPK by citizens who did not agree with decision of 18-th Congress of Communist Party of Kazakhstan of renaming the party into Socialist party. CPK was officially registered on February 28, 1994 and reregistered in 1997. It has departments in all of the regions of the Republic. Its membership accounts for some 55 thousands. Among members mainly are representatives of scientific intelligentsia, civil servants, workers, and pensioners. In incumbent Parliament two Members of Majilis present CPK. Since 1995 CPK has published in Russian language newspaper "Working life". In May 1997 National Agency on Press and Mass Media has abolished its registration in connection with violation of Article 5 of Law of Press. CPK has close contacts with Russian Communist Party, Union of communist parties and other communist organization of NIS countries. Inside the Republic it co-operates with Socialist Party, Worker’s movement, "Azamat" and "Pokolenie" ("Generation"). In September 1996 CPK initiated unregistered National-Patriotic Movement "Republic". In February 1998 it supported formation of bloc of oppositionist organizations "People’s front of Kazakhstan". Main sources of financing are membership fees and donations from people and organizations. Among its goals CPK lists movement of society towards freedom and social justice based on the principles of scientific socialism and priority of common humane ideals. In political sphere CPK struggles for restoration of power of Soviets, establishment of parliamentary Republic. In social-economic sphere – restoration of socialist type ownership in the form of private and state owned property and their combination; intolerance of exploitation of people; return to planned management of national property; monopoly of state in foreign trade; suspension of privatization; restoration of social guarantees that were provided by Soviet regime: right to labor, rest, lodgings, free healthcare and education. Despite the fact that CPK recognizes parliamentary methods of struggle for power, at the same time, it uncompromisingly opposes official political course. Main methods of CPK are ideological, political, scientific-methodic and organizational work with population. Ex-chairman of Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Kazakhstan Serikbolsyn Abdildin is the first secretary of Central Committee of Communist Party of Kazakhstan. CPK’s slate for elections to Majilis is headed by Serikbolsyn Abdildin, born 1937, first secretary of Central Committee of CPK, head of department of Kazakh State Agrarian University and Boris Sorokin, advisor of the first secretary of CK CPK.
Agrarian Party is a new political formation at the political map of Kazakhstan. Its Constituent Congress took place on January 6, 1999 at Astana - new capital of Kazakhstan. Its leaders defined its political essence. Among them are ex Minister of agriculture and Adviser of the Prime Minister. The program of this party includes introduction of private agrarian property, improvement of infrastructure; changes in taxation of agrarian sector and etc. One of the main goals of the party is successful participation in parliamentary elections. Despite such progress declared in its program, according to the Advisor of Prime Minister, Chairman of the Agrarian party Mr. Madinov, "…Agrarian Party shall be a conservative political force, opposing revolutionary changes and interested in political stability". Before the election campaign began the party was not very active, but now in shortest possible terms it created necessary number of branches in the regions of the Republic and was registered by Ministry of Justice. This is a circumstantial evidence of it being supported by authorities. Despite the fact that this party exists only for a half of a year sociologic polls demonstrate that it has some chances at success as voters from rural regions traditionally think that party that has a word "agrarian" in its name will protect their interests.
It was created on the basis of Public Headquarters supporting candidature of N. Nazarbaev at presidential elections of 1999. According to information provided by informed sources "Otan" party was formed at the closed meeting in December 1998. Party received an official registration on February 12, 1999. The so called "Uniting" Congress of "Otan" took place in Almaty on March 1, 1999. At this Congress "Otan" united with several parties who have announced their dissolution. Among these parties were the party of National Unity of Kazakhstan, Democratic Party, Liberal Movement of Kazakhstan and "For Kazakhstan – 2030" Movement. According to its leaders there were 30 thousands members in "Otan" party at that moment. Now its membership exceeds 126,5 thousands. It has branches in all of the regions of the country. Its position is loyal to official policy. President of RK Nursultan Nazarbaev was elected a Chairman at the "Uniting" Congress. He gave his powers to ex Prime Minister Sergei Tereschenko. At the October 10 elections to Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan party slate of Republican political party "OTAN" is headed by Chairman of Majilis of Parliament Marat Ospanov, born 1949; editor-in-chief of "Otechestvo" newspaper Tatiana Kviatkovskaya, born 1948. A number of well-known public figures, scientists, businessmen is also on the party slate.
It was created at the Constituent Assembly on October 5, 1991. PCK was officially registered by Ministry of Justice on December 3, 1991, and reregistered on December 12, 1995. It has branches in all of the regions of the Republic except Western Kazakhstan. The number of its members is close to 30,000. Social base of the party is scientists and artistic intelligentsia, budget employees, businessmen and owners of small business. Two Members of Majilis represent CPK in Parliament. Up to 1996 PCK owned two press publications – newspapers "National Congress" and "Halyk Congressi" that had circulation of 20 thousands each. Publication was ceased due to financial problems. Main sources of financing are membership fees, donations and revenues from economic activity. Main goal of PCK today is a creation of humane democratic society and independent united state ruled by law with humane individual being recognized as a main value. In social-economic sphere PCK is promoting gradual privatization of state property including land; increase of production of goods; improvement of agrarian sector, food and construction industries. Fall of 1994 marked change of political orientation of PCK in the direction of opposing the President and government at the eve of upcoming presidential elections. But on its 3-d Congress on 14 of October 1995 PCK has proclaimed a new course – from constructive opposition to constructive collaboration with state authorities. Now position of PCK is of rather passive and loyal direction. PCK is listed among members of National Union for reforms. Today PCK barely functions. From the first day of its foundation public figure and famous poet Olzhas Suleimenov was a chairman of the party. In connection with Mr. Suleimenov taking up a public position of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Italy from March 1996 acting as a Chairman is one of O.Suleimenov’s deputies Anvar Ismailov.
It was formed at the Constituent Assembly that took place in Almaty on December 17, 1998. Officially registered by Ministry of Justice on March 1, 1999. At the moment of state registration membership of RNPK accounted for 3,100 people. According to unconfirmed data party has its branches in all of the regions of the Republic and cities of Almaty and Astana. Main steering body of the party is the Congress, at the period between Congresses – Central Council. Executive Committee carries out everyday activity of RNPK. According to program documents of RNPK its goals include creation of democratic state with socially oriented market economy. Its main goal is improvement of quality of life of population by conducting political and economic changes. As its main challenge RNPK views the reform of political system meaning liquidation of monopoly for power and providing for all-state accountability and control of society. RNPK stays in opposition to official politics of authorities. It is evident that RNPK has all the necessary financing for unraveling its activity. In reality several newspapers act as mouthpieces for the party. They are – "XXI Century", "451 Fahrenheit", and Kazakh newspaper "Sol Dat". Ex Prime Minister Akezhan Kazhegeldin is Chairman of the RNPK. Ex co-chairman of Socialist party of Kazakhstan Gaziz Aldamzharov is deputy Chairman and head of the Executive Committee of RNPK. At the October 10 elections to Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan party slate of Republican people’s party of Kazakhstan is headed by well-known political scientist Nurbulat Masanov, born 1954; film director Rashid Nugmanov, born 1954; well-known TV-journalist Sergei Duvanov, born 1953. Central Electoral Commission denied registration to Akezhan Kazhegeldin who used to head this party slate. The rest of the leaders of the party preferred to be registered as candidates for one mandate electoral districts.
Party was created at the Constituent Assembly on January 27, 1995. Registered on September 20, 1995. Party has branches in all of the regions of the Republic. It unites 5,000 members. Among them are those employed in education, health care, science and culture spheres, administrators and engineers, businessmen and students. One member of Majilis presents this party at the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan. PRK publishes monthly magazine "Amazonka" (in Russian, circulation of 17,000). For propaganda and informing of its activity party uses republican and regional publications such as "Kazakhstanskaya Pravda" and "Vecherni Almaty". Main sources of financing are membership fees and revenues from magazine publication. PRK promotes moral and spiritual revival of society, creation of civil society and state ruled by law with socially oriented economy. Party also struggles for providing women with opportunities for active participation in political life. In social-economic sphere it promotes conduct of immediate anti-crisis measures, active policy of defending the population from inflation, increase of production, development of export potential of the Republic, social defense of indigent citizens. In its politics PRK totally supports the course of reforms offered by the President and government of the Republic. It is a member of National Union for reforms. PRK is now politically active. Public figure and national writer of Kazakhstan Altynshash Zhaganova is a Chairman of PRK. She is also heading party slate of PRK.
Formed on March 27 199 on the base of people’s movement "Azamat" and registered by Ministry of Justice. In social respect it consists of civil servants, representatives of scientific and artistic intelligentsia, owners of small business, nonpolitical non-governmental organizations. For propaganda of its ideas and information of its activity "Azamat» uses mass media means, such as newspapers "XXI Century", "Caravan", Commercial TV channel and others. Main sources of financing – donations of activists. In political aspect "Azamat" promotes formation of multiparty government that people would trust, increase of volume of parliamentary powers connected with control over the activity of the government. "Azamat" stands for formation of electoral commissions of all levels by corresponding representatives bodies of power and self-government independently of executive power; introduction of mixed system of elections to Majilis of parliament; introduction of self-government in villages, towns and cities, with elected executive and representative bodies, their own community property and budget; total organizational, staff and budget independence of courts from executive system and etc. In economy and social sphere "Azamat» offers cessation of uncontrolled handing over of key objects of national economy to suspicious international companies; to secure with legislation the principle of open ownership of property including all of the taxed real property; demonopolization of economy and banking system; decrease of number of taxes and simplification of tax collection process; stressing the priority of development of domestic market, support of national producers, development of small and medium business; taking of effective measures of defense of pensioners, disabled, families with low income and population of zones of ecology crisis. At the beginning "Azamat" was among the parties of uncompromising opposition to the President and government especially concerning its goals and methods of its activity. Initiative of formation of bloc of opposition "People’s front of Kazakhstan" belongs to the leaders of "Azamat" movement. Most close contacts "Azamat" had with Worker’s movement, "Pokolenie" movement, and Communist party. On December 11, 1998 leaders of "Azamat" movement that later was changed into a party have made an unexpected for majority of observers statement "Of political situation at the verge of presidential elections and perspectives of development of democratic processes in Kazakhstan". In this statement cochairmen of "Azamat" criticized their former opposition allies – Communists and Kazhegeldin’s group and expressed their wish to conduct a constructive dialogue with any President that will be elected including Nursultan Nazarbaev. This way "Azamat" made a rapid and unexpected move to moderate position. Ex deputy of Prime Minister in the government of Sergei Tereschenko Galym Abilsiitov, born 1940, is now a Chairman of "Azamat" party. He is heading the slate of "Azamat" together with well-known public figure Murat Auezov, born 1943, and businessman Platon Pak, born 1946. Ex Minister in the Governments of Sergei Tereschenko and Akezhan Kazhegeldin, one of the leaders of "Azamat", Petr Svoik preferred to register as a candidate at one mandate electoral district.
It was formed on the base of Republican Party of Kazakhstan. Party received an official registration during spring of 1999. It has branches in 9 regions of the country. According to its leaders there are 10 thousands members in the party at that moment. These data seems to be a little exaggerated. In social respect it consists of representatives of rural population and representatives of scientific and artistic intelligentsia of Kazakh origin. "Alash" has no press organ of its own and for propaganda and information of its activity it uses republican and local mass media in Kazakh language. Main sources of financing – donations of activists. Main goal of the party is revival of Kazakh nation, unification of national-patriotic forces in order to create a democratic society and an independent state. "Alash" is the only ethnically oriented party and it reflects interest of Kazakh population only. In whole, "Alash" approves of program of reforms and politics of the President and government. At the same time it disapproves of some unpopular decisions of government that bring population to poverty. "Alash" is not active politically. Its activity is not open and it almost does not collaborate with other parties and movements. An activist in the cultural sphere Sabetkazy Akatai, born 1938, is the chairman of the party and heads its party slate.
The party was formed on the base of people’s movement "Union of engineers of Kazakhstan" on September 18, 1995 at the 3-rd Congress of this organization and received an official registration on January 10, 1996. It has branches in 8 regions of the country. According to its leaders there are 18,900 members in the party at that moment. In social respect it consists mainly of representatives of scientific and technical intelligentsia. Representation of RPLP: 10 Members in Majilis, 5 – in Senate (though it does not have a fraction of its own in Parliament). Press organ of the party is a Newsletter of Engineering Academy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is published once a year; its circulation is 400. Main sources of financing are membership fees and donations. Main goal of the party – expressing interests of intelligentsia through adoption of corresponding legislative acts. RPLP promotes democratic and humanistic values, stressing the priority of Human Rights, importance of traditional values of labor, equality of opportunities, political pluralism and absence of any ideology monopoly. Party is loyal and passive and is a member of National Union for reforms. It is not politically active. Acting as a President of Engineering Academy of RK Bahytzhan Zhumagulov is a chairman of Republican political labor party. At the October 10 elections to Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan party slate of Republican political labor party is headed by businessmen Abdrazak Dzhomartov, born 1940 and Oleg Gaidin, born 1957.
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