The election conducted with numerous falsifications proved that in fact the election was farmed out to the Akimats.
OSCE in its preliminary statement mentioned numerous facts of the local authorities� interference, and �preconception of the local election commissions in favour of candidates supported by regional or local officials... The instructions of the Central Election Commission were not fulfilled by circuit and district commissions.� They gave an example when at one of the circuits �members of the circuit commission held a meeting with the Akim.�
The introduction of the parties� list and a big number of candidates were supposed to create visual democracy. In fact, this was just tinsel, which probably is more important in Kazakhstan than the voting process.
Slanderous leaflets about a co-chairman of Azamat Pyotr Svoik and two other candidates were distributed on October 9 (according to the law. Any agitation on this day was forbidden). According to one of the distributors, a worker of the paid car-parking site (who naturally did not wish to mention his name), they were ordered to distribute leaflets in the building of the city Akimat. Leaflets about Svoik, which appeared before that, were signed by members of the Veterans� Union of Almaty.
The local authorities were entitled a priory, as according to the legislation, local election commissions are to be formed by Akimats. It seems that the authorities said they did not care how, but Akimats were to guarantee the victory. Seeing that the higher authorities played dishonestly, the local ones wished to start their own game.
Remember how the authorities guaranteed loyalty of the local leaders at the first stage of independence. In 1993 Kazakhstan concluded a barter deal for delivery of 288 �Volga� cars (15 cars to each region. Of course, local authorities were glad. If we add small privatisation and privatisation on industrial projects to delay the time till the oil pipe works. Due to this privatisation collective farms were also given to local administrations. (THE GLOBE #12(330), 12.02.99).
We know about arbitrariness of local leaders, which impedes the private business. The state policy is being impeded by local authorities due to �personal interest� of different local heads.
The election was expected to make the local authorities more confident in their importance. The authorities fulfilled the task wonderfully, which is confirmed by OSCE, local observers and opposition candidates. If the local authorities realise it, this along with present �achievements� may lead to a deepening decentralisation of the authorities and loss of the control for the country.
The life in Kazakhstan is getting more expensive. The opposition announced its merger to prevent dictatorship. �Population and market� program of KSRL seeks answers to the question.
According to the official information, for September the price of food grew by 16%. The price of bread is the fastest rise in this group this year. Though production volume of wheat is the highest in Kazakhstan, the cost of bread increased by 32%. The highest growth was observed in regions producing grain. According to some prognoses, the prosperity will not come soon, but we will have more difficulties and poverty and unemployment will not be overcome fast.
At the October 27th Democratic Forum meeting the communist leader Serikbolsyn Abdildin emphasised, �The population has begun to see clearly. The authorities behave as occupiers. We have to struggle against occupiers, as there is no clear front line. These occupierss are to be pushed away and we should strive for power.�
The leader of the Russian movement Yuryi Bunakov announced: �Russians and Kazakhs have something in common � apathy and cowardice.� The leader of the Cossack Union Gennady Belyakov said: �Our motherland is Kazakhstan. Cossacks are not going to leave Kazakhstan. In the past we were a part of the Great Russia, which today is rising. We should watch Russia.�
Amirzhan Kosanov as emissary from former premier Akezhan Kazhegeldin who is in exile in Europe read Kazhegeldin�s letter. ��Kazakhstani society will not approve a dictatorship. People do not believe myths of a wise khan any more. We have the strongest weapon, the truth. Let�s say the truth. Let the authorities read their own lies in their newspapers. The Forum should be transformed to a regular structure, then to a People�s Front. Our route to the victory is through the national referendum to the new Constitution.�
Of course, we should not expect that the merged forced will overcome disconnection and unite at once. For example, the famous politician Serik Abdrakhmanov could not overcome his personal ambitions at the Forum: �This Forum was organised for Kazhegeldin�s money, who once smothered democracy. The slogan �Long live to Kazhegeldin!� will not do!� The audience disapproved and Serik Abdrakhmanov had to leave the hall.
�What deputy does the population need?� This question is still repeated after the election. On October 22 the press conference devoted to the extraordinary situation in Zhanatas was held. This beautiful town becme a ghost town when Akezhan Kazhegeldin was the PM. More than a hundred of children were infected with tuberculosis during a presumed inoculation. Presently tens of children are invalids, they are literally rotting. Some of them died. �We have no use from the authorities.� Baiken Chynybekov, a Zhanatas citizen asked. To the question how they were assisted by parliamentarians, Baiken Chynybekov answered: �Before our deputy was Abdimanap Kopbergenov. Now our deputy is the famous writer Sherkhan Murtaza. He did not hear about our sorrow. He did not come to Zhanatas during the election campaign.�
The meeting held on Saturday in Almaty was a sign of active political life in Kazakhstan. It was organised by �Orleu movement. The pensioners� monthly action was conducted within the meeting.
�People do not believe the present authorities at all. Until persons with hot hearts and clear hands come to power, our falling continue,� Bolat Ryskozha, an activist of Orleu said to Radio �Liberty�.
30.10.00
THE GLOBE based on materials of the Kazakh Service of Radio �Liberty�
(Translated from Kazakh by THE GLOBE)
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