OREANDA-NEWS. September 14, 2011. On September 15 2011, the International Day of Democracy, UNDP and the Central Election Commission will present a new youth web portal on the elections matters - www.umitker.kz.

The main objective of the portal is to educate youth on electoral participation and promote its participation in public life. Interactive computer games, designed to enhance legal awareness and interest of Kazakhstani youth in the electoral process will be presented on the web-portal. Moreover, a pilot simulation of internet elections will be conducted on the web-portal for youth. This will enable young leaders to test their abilities and participate in the elections. Pilot internet elections will be held in Pavlodar oblast and in the future the possibility of conducting of such internet elections, using the web portal Umitker.kz, will be considered in other areas of the country.

By the end of the year, within the frames of the project it is also planned to hold a round table in Astana on youth participation in elections and conduct a series of regional trainings for young members of election commissions. The project is implemented by UNDP in cooperation with the Central Election Commission and the Pavlodar Regional Governance School with the financial support from the UN Democracy Fund.

Presentation of the web-portal for youth as well as the project is timed to coincide with International Day of Democracy, celebrated worldwide on September 15. International Day of Democracy was proclaimed in 2007 the UN General Assembly and devoted to supporting the efforts of all Governments to promote and consolidate democracy. The corresponding resolution of the General Assembly encourages the United Nations Member States, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and individuals to celebrate this day to raise public awareness on issues of democracy.

Press conference participants:

Vladimir Foos, Deputy Chairman of CEC of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Stephen Tull, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan

Gulnar Issenova, Director of the Pavlodar Regional Governance School

Time and venue: September 15, 2011 at 11:00 am in the building of Central Election Commission, 4 Beybitshilik str, suite 802.