Borat re-elected with 91% of vote!
The Kazakhstan election has gone without a hitch, and the President returned with an overwhelming majority - early indications suggest 91% of the vote. Naturally the opposition parties have complained of irregularities:
"The balloting was completely out of control … and quite obviously, the results of the vote were distorted significantly," said Lyudmila Zhulanova, deputy campaign manager for Ak Zhol party candidate Alikhan Baimenov. Two other candidates, Communist Party leader Yerasyl Abilkasymov and environmentalist Mels Yeleusizov, also ran for president.
Opposition leaders said they would comply with a law prohibiting public demonstrations within the 10-day window the government has to release final election returns, and would use that time to file challenges in the courts. If that is not successful, Zhulanova said, "we will find another way to express our indignation."
In other news, our Kazakhstan correspondant has made a deal with several European holiday destinations to stay away, as riot-free resorts tend to do better business.
"The balloting was completely out of control … and quite obviously, the results of the vote were distorted significantly," said Lyudmila Zhulanova, deputy campaign manager for Ak Zhol party candidate Alikhan Baimenov. Two other candidates, Communist Party leader Yerasyl Abilkasymov and environmentalist Mels Yeleusizov, also ran for president.
Opposition leaders said they would comply with a law prohibiting public demonstrations within the 10-day window the government has to release final election returns, and would use that time to file challenges in the courts. If that is not successful, Zhulanova said, "we will find another way to express our indignation."
In other news, our Kazakhstan correspondant has made a deal with several European holiday destinations to stay away, as riot-free resorts tend to do better business.
by "without a hitch" you mean corrupt but not violent?
Posted by
Ben |
Mon Dec 05, 12:40:00 pm
I mean the guy who organised what the result would be was pleased with what he had organised, and no-one has rioted yet. Though there are some people who will be indignant. I always thought indignant was a bit like being pompous and annoyed at the same time, but dictionary.com says indignation is 'a feeling of righteous anger'. Crikey.
Posted by
Matt |
Mon Dec 05, 01:43:00 pm