nearly 3 decades but in march he unexpectedly stepped down was handing over the reins to his protege kassim john not to cry over is expected to win the election. day w correspondent emily showmance been speaking to opposition activists in the country she said has this report. poetry and music against political repression sloc a cause like poetry collective is rehearsing a new p.c. . it's a statement against political apathy though the young performers insist this is just art. you're. the. boss had told us of a is here to support the group the community activist was recently released from prison she was behind bars for 15 days for holding up a banner calling for free elections. any attempts to express your opinion are oppressed and stifled in kazakhstan through arrests and fines and many activists are being sent to serve in the army now this is all we have. we can only express ourselves through our. what we know we have to do something that there is a demand for change among people a people's movement for change. good fishing. still there's a sense of excitement about the elections in the country