President urges to counteract any efforts to incite inter-ethnic and inter-faith clashes

Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev urged to counteract any efforts to incite inter-ethnic and inter-faith clashes, Tengrinews.kz reports, citing the President’s official website. “Head of State emphasized that prior to any elections there are always those willing to take advantage of nationalism or religion. Such efforts should be decisively counteracted. [They] contradict our principles, stability, course of development, pillars of our independence”, his Press Service quoted him as saying at a Government sitting in the Astana-based Akorda Presidential Palace December 26. “The [forthcoming parliamentary] elections should be a factor of consolidation of the Kazakh society among the key values, which are stability, unity and accord. These are values enabling us to progress (…) We need to be closer to common people and their needs …”, Head of State said. Nursultan Nazarbayev urged regional governors and local bodies of central election committee to secure an open, fair and transparent election. “Kazakhstanis should be fully aware of the importance of the parliamentary elections and of their participation in the election. It is very critical to encourage Kazakhstanis to come to the polling stations and perform their civil duty”. “What a parliament will be elected – this is what the further public tranquility and further implementation of state-run programs for the public good will depend on. Amidst the forthcoming crisis and instability we need to maintain and strengthen the unity of the people”, President said.