While everyone who follows Kazakhstani politics expected Nur-Otan, the President’s uber-party, to win the election on August 18th, few thought that the results would be this obviously un-democratic. Frankly, many outside Kazakhstan (and inside as well) did not believe Nur-Otan and the President would have the gall to take every seat, thereby solidifying Kazakhstan’s reputation as a sham democracy, and probably killing its chances of chairing the OSCE.

But that is exactly what happened. According to the Central Election Committee, on August 18th, 88.05% of Kazakhstanis chose Nur-Otan. None of the other parties, including the two principal opposition parties– Ak Jhol (Bright Path) and the Nationwide Social-Democratic Party, achieved the minimum 7% needed to gain representation. All 98 seats in Parliament that were up for grabs will be warmed by the pro-presidential posteriors of Nur-Otan party members. The other nine seats will be appointed by the House of Nationalities, itself appointed by Mr. Nazarbayev.

The OSCE conducted the most significant oberservational activities, and their press release can be found here. Typically diplomatic, the OSCE mentions “progress”, but also highlighted some serious flaws.

The Voice of America also released an article on the subject. In it, the United States, in the form of State Department Acting Spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos says of the election:

“There were serious shortcomings, including legal provisions such as a high threshold of seven percent for party representation in the parliament, the process by which victorious parties chose deputies from their list, and the fact than an unelected body appoints nine of the 107 seats in the lower house of parliament,” he said. “So we hope that government of Kazakhstan will address these shortcomings as it continues to reform the elections laws, and promptly and fairly resolves any complaints and appeals related to violations of that law.”

There is significant question as to whether the Central Election Committee’s 88% figure is legitimate. The opposition party claims voter fraud, and more imporantly, the OSCE found flaws in the vount count in 40% of the polling stations they visited. That is a remarkable number, and gives weight to the opposition parties’ claim that 88% is far too high. Not to mention the fact that the polling places were run by Nur-Otan members, Nur-Otan propaganda was spotted inside, and pictures of the president hang practically everywhere votes were cast (such as in the many schools).

Finally, and most importantly, media coverage leading up to August 18th was absurdly skewed. Not only is it difficult to register an opposition party, it is incredibly difficult to get messages onto Kazakhstani television. That is, unless you are Nur-Otan, who had blanket coverage, both paid ads and an endless parade of positive, puff “news” pieces. Nur-Otan also had billboards and posters everywhere, and volunteers working from Tsum in Almaty to the train station in Astana. Campaign material for the opposition parties was hardly to be found, and many reports suggest that it was suppressed. Or, in the words of the OSCE, “The governing Nur Otan party received favourable treatment by authorities and State media.”

Now comes word that neither of the main opposition parties will recognize the results. An Ak Zhol representative claims that the party actually received as much as 12% of the vote– accusations that point beyond just distorted coverage and legalistic suppression to outright vote-count manipulation.