1990 Kazakh Presidential Election: A Masterclass in Democracy

The 1990 Kazakh Presidential Election was a groundbreaking event in the history of democracy. It was the first election in the region where multiple candidates were allowed to run, and the one who garnered the most votes was declared the winner. But it was far from a straightforward affair - controversy, intrigue, and laughter marked this unforgettable event in the annals of voting.

• The Candidates

The election saw three candidates vying for the top spot. Nursultan Nazarbayev, who was the incumbent first secretary of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan, was a clear favorite to win. His campaign slogan was “Vote for me, or you’ll be sent to Siberia!”

His closest competitor was Akezhan Kazhegeldin, a young reformist who believed in democracy and free markets. His campaign slogan was “Vote for me, and I’ll give you democracy, free markets, and a unicorn!”

Finally, we had Serikbolsyn Abdildin, a retired factory worker with a great sense of humor. He campaigned on a platform of “Vote for me, and I’ll make sure that every Kazakh has a chicken in their backyard!”

• The Campaign Trail

Things got off to a rocky start when Nazarbayev’s campaign bus broke down in the middle of the desert. His team set up camp while they waited for a replacement bus to arrive. Kazhegeldin took advantage of Nazarbayev’s misfortune by organizing a rally in the nearby town. He promised the crowd that if he was elected, he would make sure that every citizen had their own satellite dish to watch the latest episode of Baywatch.

Abdildin, on the other hand, took a more unconventional approach to campaigning. He went from village to village, telling jokes and performing magic tricks. He even promised to turn camel hooves into gold!

• The Results

When the votes were counted, Nazarbayev emerged as the winner, but he did not get the majority needed to avoid a runoff. Kazhegeldin and Abdildin both qualified for the second round. Kazhegeldin declared that he was going to win, and his victory party would feature free beer and pizza for all.

Abdildin, meanwhile, took the defeat in stride. He said he was glad he ran because he made so many new friends along the campaign trail, and he looked forward to spending more time with his chickens.

The runoff was a tense affair, but in the end, Nazarbayev emerged victorious. Kazhegeldin was gracious in defeat, promising to work with Nazarbayev to move the country forward. Abdildin kept his promise, and as he left the stage, he left his chicken behind as a thank you for all the support.

• Conclusion

In conclusion, the 1990 Kazakh Presidential Election was a landmark event in the history of democracy. It demonstrated that even in the midst of political strife and economic hardship, the spirit of humor and humility can still prevail. It is a testament to the people of Kazakhstan that they could find reasons to laugh, even as they were shaping the future of their nation. Perhaps Abdildin said it best, “In life, we only have two choices: laugh or cry. I choose to laugh, even in the face of defeat.”