Kazakhs vote for demoracy

Almaty (Kazakhstan), Aug 18 (UNI) The oil-rich Central Asian country of Kazakhstan today went to polls under a new constitution which ushers in a democratic set up after 16 years of President's rule.

The country that became independent in 1991 after separating from the erstwhile Soviet Union, was ruled by President Nursultan Nazabayev who is credited with its rapid economic strides and the present 10 per cent annual economic growth.

Although campainging was low key, President Nazarbayev commands most support for his economic reforms and opposition to his Party Nur Otan is virtually nil. Seven Polittical parties are in the fray.

The country is simultaneously holding elections for 98 seats of the Lower House (Majlis) and local assemblies. Nearly 45 per cent voters had exercised franchise till 1400 hrs in the entire country which has 8 million voters out of the 16 million population.

While for local assemblies, voters voted for individual candidates, for the Majlis, people had to vote for Political Parties instead of individual candidates. The majority party in the new Majlis will later nominate its candidates for the Prime Minister and other Ministerial berths.

The commercial capital of Almaty had a voting percentage of bare 13 per cent while the capital Asthana had about 23 per cent.

Nearly 47 international observers, including three from India, are monitoring the elections.

Mr Nurtas Nauryzbaev, Secretary of the opposition 'Party of Patriots' which has fielded 11 candidates in Almaty, said they were looking towards India as a ''model'' of democracy and for the economic progress and the political stability India was witnessing.

The country witnessed polls under a new Constitution with wide-ranging political reforms. In the new Constitution, adopted on May 21, death penalty is abolished, except in cases of terrorism, a President's term is reduced from seven to five years and the number of seats in Majlis (lower House of Parliament) is increased.

The new Constitution also includes measures like increase in the power of the Parliament (eg Prime Minister's nomination to be approved by the Majlis), significant increase in the number of MPs--both at the Majlis --lower house Parliament -- (from 77 to 107) and in the Senate (from 39 to 47). Ninety eight Majlis MPs are to be elected by proportional representation.

There is also reinforcement of powers of regional authorities, increased government accountability and reinforcement of the multi-party system with the introduction of financial support by the State.

The country's adoption of Parliamentary system of democracy with wide-ranging political reforms, is seen as a move to join the league of democratic nations--notably India? with which it professes cooperation in diverse sectors-- ranging from nuclear energy to culture, from Defence to security.

Most political parties and candidates admire India's economic growth and political stability which, they said, wanted to emulate.

The 9727 polling stations, including 463 in Almaty and 184 in capital Asthana, had arrangements for both Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) as well as manual voting.

UNI