Kazakhstan CEC to increase support to political parties

Kazakhstan Central Election Commission (CEC) will increase state support to political parties and candidates in 2011, Tengrinews.kz reports citing a statement of the chairman of the Central Election Commission Kuandyk Turgankulov. "More money are allocated this year, compared to 2007, there are inflation processes. Besides, considering recommendations of the international organizations and missions of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), ODIHR (Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights) and OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe), this year we are intending to increase state support to political parties and parliamental candidates in their campaigns. We will calculate all the amounts required and will coordinate them at the CEC meeting,” Turgankulov said. CEC has set aside 7.187 billion tenge ($55.7 million) in the 2012 Budget for the Majilis (lower chamber of the Parliament) and Maslikhat (local administrations) elections. “This is what we have planned in the next year's budget. As the elections are held ahead of time, this year the government will support us from the reserve budget and next year we will return this amount to the state budget from the next year's budget,” CEC chairman explained.