Kazakhstan Votes in Parliamentary Election Expected to Strengthen President’s Grip on Power
Seven parties are contesting 145 seats as the new legislature replaces Kazakhstan’s former two-chamber parliament and could extend Tokayev’s political control.
- On Sunday, Kazakhstan opened 10,363 polling stations for the nation's first elections to the Kurultai, the country's new unicameral legislature. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev initiated this snap parliamentary vote to strengthen his rule in Central Asia.
- The election follows President Tokayev's 'New Kazakhstan' reform package, which replaced the bicameral parliament with the unicameral Kurultai. The Amanat party dissolved into the newly formed Adilet party, led by Tokayev's aides, to distance the government from former President Nursultan Nazarbayev's legacy.
- In total, 12,605,788 citizens are registered to vote, with 777 foreign observers from 42 countries accredited to monitor the process. Parties must secure at least 5 percent of the overall vote to enter the 145-member legislature.
- Voting began at 7 a.m. Astana time, with 228 citizens casting ballots at overseas polling stations by 8 a.m. The Central Election Commission prohibited publishing exit polls or election forecasts on election day.
- Positioning itself as a middle power between Europe, Russia, and China, Kazakhstan faces mounting economic pressures on its 21 million citizens. While recent growth continued, analysts note inflation and tax increases have eroded living standards amid geopolitical tensions.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Kazakhstan parliamentary vote to cement president's power
Candidates from seven state-approved parties are taking part in the election, while opposition parties have been banned. Central Asia's largest nation, Kazakhstan maintains a delicate balance between Russia and the West.
Since the violent protests in Kazakhstan four and a half years ago Kazakhstan has a new constitution. It is to strengthen the role of parliament. Now head of state Tokayev asks for the ballot. Seven parties close to the president are to be elected.
Kazakhstan elects new parliament amid Tokayev reforms Seven parties are competing for 145 seats in Kazakhstan's new parliament. The elections are a milestone in Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's constitutional reforms.
Kazakhstan votes in parliament poll set to tighten Tokayev's grip
Kazakhstan opened voting for parliamentary elections expected to hand President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's allies a commanding majority. The ballot underscores his widening control amid economic stress and growing pressure on independent media.
The Toronto Star
Kazakhstan votes in parliamentary election expected to strengthen president’s grip on power
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Polls opened Sunday in Kazakhstan’s parliamentary elections, a vote expected to further to strengthen President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s power in Central Asia’s largest nation.
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