OSCE sees problems with Kazakh vote

A parliamentary election in Kazakhstan fell short of what's considered a democratic process by international standards, the OSCE said Monday. Early results from weekend elections in Kazakhstan indicate perhaps two other political parties could take seats beside the ruling Nur Otan party of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The country recently passed an election law meant to abolish a single-party rule, though opposition slates said the Sunday vote was flawed, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said elections were "well administered at the technical level" but fell short of international standards. "This election took place in a tightly controlled environment, with serious restrictions on citizens' electoral rights," said Miklos Haraszti, an OSCE election observer, in a statement. "Genuine pluralism does not need the orchestration we have seen -- respect for fundamental freedoms will bring it about by itself." Nazarbayev, president of an independent Kazakhstan since 1991, dissolved the country's legislative assembly in November in favor of a multiparty system. RFE/RL notes the country has no record of open elections and had just two months to prepare for Sunday's vote.