Aigerim Akimzhanova,
Correspondent:
The decision on the construction of a nuclear power plant in
Kazakhstan will be determined by the results of the nationwide referendum
taking place today, both within the country and abroad. In Kazakhstan, over
10,000 polling stations opened at 7 a.m., with 84 starting an hour earlier to
accommodate shift workers and those on a rotation schedule. In Astana, more
than 900,000 voters are registered, and we are currently at polling station
number 164, where 2,214 voters are registered. The event is being monitored by
observers, including representatives from several international organizations.
We are now alongside the observer mission from the CIS countries. Could you
share what work you have been doing since this morning?
«First, our observers are accredited from Azerbaijan,
Belarus, the Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and are
working in nine regions of Kazakhstan. The referendum is well-organized and has
been very well prepared. I must commend the work of the Central Referendum
Commission. We are working closely with other missions,» said Leonid Anfimov, head
of the CIS observer mission.
Among them are observer missions from the SCO, CICA, and the
Organization of Turkic States. Additionally, 177 observers from 30 foreign
countries are monitoring the referendum.
«Our mission continues and will last until the end of today,
during which we will also participate in the counting of votes at one of the
polling stations in Astana. We have not observed any violations; voting is
taking place in a calm and stable environment, in compliance with Kazakhstan’s
legislation and internationally accepted standards in this field,» said Sadi
Jafarov, head of the OTS observer mission.
According to observers, Kazakh citizens have been actively expressing
their civic stance since early morning and throughout the day.
«This Sunday morning, we came to the polling station in a
good mood to cast our votes. I think this is important for our future,» shared the
Astana resident Arnagul Smagulova.
«This is our future, and everything depends on us. Every
vote is important, and it's crucial for everyone to come and vote. I woke up
early and came to cast my vote,» said the Astana resident Dulatkhan Mukhanbedin.
Notably, the polling stations across the country
will be open until 8 p.m.
