EU Worried By Upcoming Kazakh Vote

President Nazarbaev is seeking another seven-year term (epa) 10 November 2005 -- The EU urged Kazakhstan today to let opposition candidates and the media operate freely in the runup to the country's 4 December presidential election.

The EU said in a statement it is worried by attacks on opposition parties and journalists.

The statement said the EU is concerned over printing and distribution difficulties faced by opposition newspapers, disruption of opposition meetings, and reports of an increasing number of attacks on journalists.

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev, who has ruled the Central Asian state since 1989 and is seeking another seven-year term, has vowed to hold a free vote and says there is no media censorship in the republic.

The EU urged Kazakhstan to ensure that opposition candidates, their supporters, and the media will be able to operate unhindered for the remainder of the election campaign.

(Reuters)