27 Apr 2019 | 05:46 AM UTC
Kazakhstan: Snap presidential elections called for June 9
Snap presidential elections called for June 9; associated demonstrations possible through election date
Event
Kazakhstan will hold snap presidential elections on June 9, according to a statement by interim president Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev. The early election is intended to ease the uncertainty that has dominated the political environment since longtime President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced his resignation last month. A heightened security presence is to be expected around polling stations on June 9.
Context
On March 19, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced his resignation from the office of the presidency effective March 20. In a televised address on March 19, Nazarbayev, who will remain chair of the country's Security Council and the ruling Nur-Otan party, named speaker of the upper parliament chamber Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev as interim president.
Kazakhstan's law on public assembly is highly restrictive and effectively denies citizens the right to protest. Nevertheless, mass protests do occasionally take place in the country.
Advice
Individuals in Kazakhstan are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all political gatherings as a precaution, anticipate possible protests and associated disruptions over the coming weeks, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.
