ASTANA, November 4 - Three of the five presidential candidates have signed a charter that lays out principles of civilized rivalry, the campaign staff of incumbent Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is running for reelection, said in a news release Friday.

The charter was signed by the campaign staffs of Nazarbayev, Yerasyl Abylkasov, a member of parliament, and Mels Yeleusizov, an independent candidate.

The other contenders, Zharmakhan Tuyakbai, the leader of the For Just Kazakhstan opposition movement, and Alikhan Baimenov, the leader of Ak Zhol (Bright Way) party, which had declined to join an opposition bloc, did not sign the charter.

The parties to the charter pledged to "treat dirty tricks, attempts to buy off votes, and other dishonest methods of winning voters` support as political radicalism, which must be removed from practice as it discredits the electoral process and damages Kazakhstan`s image."
They also pledged to refrain from exploiting ethnic and religious sentiments, and from statements and activities that can bring about political instability. The charter also ensures equal campaign opportunities for the contenders.

Presidential elections in Kazakhstan will take place on December 4
sections: Politics, World News