Police officers block opposition supporters during a protest against presidential election

In a country tightly run by one man for three decades, even small protests are a rarity.

Reports from Kazakhstan say authorities have been arresting demonstrators in some districts of the country's largest city, Almaty, after hundreds of people gathered to protest the official results of the June 9 presidential election.

In the light of the shortcomings reported by the OSCE/ODIHR Mission, we expect Kazakhstan to address these violations, as well as the controlled legal and political electoral framework, as they run counter to the country's OSCE commitments and international obligations.

The Kazakh state is increasingly bringing the work of independent journalists under control. A new media law places further restrictions on journalistic freedom.

In March, Kazakhstan's long-term leader stepped down, making way for a "transition" of power. But everything about this change has been carefully orchestrated and highly controlled - as this Sunday's elections show.