It is no surprise that Nazarbayev has officially won the presidency in Kazakhstan. What is surprising and even refreshing, is the fact that the OSCE - which was invited to observe the election for the fist time in modern Kazkah history - reported very little negative aspects of the election. It was widely known worldwide by many political observers what the outcome of this election will be. Many political commentators sarcastically predicted the elections in numerous opt-eds and countless news agencies tried to get the 'real' opinion of the Kazakh nation. Radio Free Europe toured the native village of Nazarbayev's family, asked numerous awkward villagers who they will vote for. Not suprisingly all the people looked away from the camera and uttered under their breath, 'Nazarbayev."
I think I was the only one who saw the silver lining in this election. There were many aspects to this process that I found to be positive, as I previously stated in my blog, most mini dictators of Central Asia and the Middle East needed to look at the current uprisings and their significance as a reminder of the power of the masses. Nazarbayev to this date has been the only leader to fully push the wheels of
politico to enhance his own position, and justify his standing to the world. He refused to call for a referendum that would extend his rule of power for the next 20 years, as was suggested by his government. He instead called for early elections, many criticized and some even boycotted claiming the early call threw everyone off guard; and left most parties ill prepared to face the Nursultan machine. In the end we saw an election that had drama, singing, celebrity endorsements, and even kidnappings.
The current status of Kazakhstan can only be defined as good, with a high chance of even better in the future. Ex U.S. diplomat to Kazakhstan William Courtney has written a post-election observational piece for the New York Times, stressing that the Nazarbayev he once knew in the post Soviet Union is not there anymore. The days of Nazarbayev criticizing Russia for meddling in Kazakkhstan's finances and the overt corruption being practiced on all levels of government is no more. Today as Courtney claims, Nursultan is the instigator for corruption and nepotism.
International observers have reported multiple ballots and even ballot box stuffing. The government quickly jumped to defend its honor and one official even stated, "I believe that it is the most ideal election ever in the history of all the elections." Other organizations that report on human rights such as Freedom House have ranked the country as "not free", a category that is shared with North Korea and Myanmar. According to the most recent report by Freedom House, "Nazarbayev and his Nur Otan party maintained almost complete control over the political sphere ... using tactics including arbitrary arrests, restrictive new laws, and politically motivated prosecutions to muzzle critical media outlets and individuals."
In the end, we have seen a country that was once coined as a little darling of the Soviet Union. A country that had and still has numerous mineral deposits, oil, natural gas, and an over-educated young generation. Nursultan has been the only post soviet leader of the CIS union to pay back loans to the IMF in full, and to this day when compared with other Central Asian republics Kazakhstan ranks economically in the top tier. The nation can put on a show, it can like many new republics construct an identity that to some people topples absurdity, and it can even gain an independent voice in the international media.
The road to western democracy is long for Kazakhstan, the future looks bright, the clan of Nazarbayev is coming to a point of battle. Only time will tell who will rule the vast lands of Kazakhstan in the far future. We watch, we read, and we comment.
To another term Mr. Nazarbayev! Na Zdrowie!
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