Zhanaozen events effected voters turnout at elections: Expert

Nurlan Yerimbetov. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Zhanaozen events caused high voter turnout at parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan, Interfax-Kazakhstan reports citing political expert Nurlan Yerimbetov. “As for the high voters turnout, Zhanaozen factor played a big role here, strange as it may seem. Tragic events always form up restless moods. That’s why people wanted to unite and feel themselves as a nation, as one integral whole,” Yerimbetov said in the interview to Svoboda Slova magazine, published on Thursday. He also added that Kazakhstan people, in his opinion, “voted not for political platforms but for the opportunity to be together”. “In this sense Nur Otan was a uniting force for the voters in a much better way than any other parties,” Yerimbetov said. Clashes happened in Zhanaozen and Shetpe village on December 16-17, 2011. The riots claimed 17 lives and injured over 100 people. State of emergency was announced in Zhanaozen. Majilis elections were held in Kazakhstan last Sunday. Nur Otan party won the elections (80.99 percent of votes). 7-percent threshold was overcome by Ak Zhol and Communist parties. Nur Otan received 83 seats in Majilis, Ak Zhol will be represented by 8 deputies and Communist Party will have 7 representatives in Majilis. Voters turnout at parliamentary elections made 75.45 percent. Head of ODIHR/OSCE mission Miklos Haraszti said that such turnout is worth getting into Guinness Records Book.

Zhanaozen events caused high voter turnout at parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan, Interfax-Kazakhstan reports citing political expert Nurlan Yerimbetov. “As for the high voters turnout, Zhanaozen factor played a big role here, strange as it may seem. Tragic events always form up restless moods. That’s why people wanted to unite and feel themselves as a nation, as one integral whole,” Yerimbetov said in the interview to Svoboda Slova magazine, published on Thursday. He also added that Kazakhstan people, in his opinion, “voted not for political platforms but for the opportunity to be together”. “In this sense Nur Otan was a uniting force for the voters in a much better way than any other parties,” Yerimbetov said. Clashes happened in Zhanaozen and Shetpe village on December 16-17, 2011. The riots claimed 17 lives and injured over 100 people. State of emergency was announced in Zhanaozen. Majilis elections were held in Kazakhstan last Sunday. Nur Otan party won the elections (80.99 percent of votes). 7-percent threshold was overcome by Ak Zhol and Communist parties. Nur Otan received 83 seats in Majilis, Ak Zhol will be represented by 8 deputies and Communist Party will have 7 representatives in Majilis. Voters turnout at parliamentary elections made 75.45 percent. Head of ODIHR/OSCE mission Miklos Haraszti said that such turnout is worth getting into Guinness Records Book.

Zhanaozen voters news Kazakhstan Kazakh Elections