On May 14, 2025, the spiritual capital of the Turkic world, Turkistan, hosted a significant event in regional electoral diplomacy. The heads of central election commissions from member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) gathered to officially sign the Statute of the Consultative Platform of Central Electoral Bodies (CEC Platform), signaling a new era of structured cooperation in electoral governance.

The event welcomed senior representatives from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and observer state Hungary, alongside four prominent international organizations — the OTS, the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB), the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TurkPA), and the Turkic Academy. Members of the Kazakh Parliament, regional electoral commission chairs from major cities, and academic experts also took part.

In a keynote message read by the Chair of the Kazakh Central Election Commission, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed gratitude to fellow leaders for supporting the initiative proposed during the 10th OTS Summit. Emphasizing Turkistan’s symbolic importance, he noted the platform’s potential to enhance transparency and effectiveness in electoral processes across Turkic nations.

The signed statute outlines objectives such as regular information exchange, mutual learning, adoption of innovative technologies in election procedures, coordination of observer missions during elections and referenda, and expert exchange programs. It aims to establish a sustainable framework for cross-border electoral cooperation.

Kazakh CEC Chair Nurlan Abdirov highlighted that across OTS member states, there are currently 96.5 million registered voters, and 15 elections were held in the past two years. The platform is expected to promote inclusiveness, integrity, and institutional capacity-building in the member countries’ electoral systems.

By formalizing collaborative mechanisms, the OTS strengthens not only cultural and economic ties, but also political and democratic integration among its member states.