On August 23 local time, Kazakhstan held the first election of its unicameral parliament, Kurultai. According to Kazinform News Agency, the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan announced preliminary results on the 24th. Five political parties won new seats in the parliament. Among them, the ruling party in Kazakhstan, the Justice Party, came out on top with over 70% of the votes.
The Central Electoral Commission of Kazakhstan stated that more than 12.62 million voters registered for this election, and approximately 9.351 million people participated in the voting, with a voting rate of 74.08%. A total of 545 candidates from seven political parties across Kazakhstan competed in the election.
The Justice Party achieved a huge victory in the elections, winning 71.17% of the votes. The Rural Party obtained 6.26% of the votes and ranked second. The Republican Party, the “Light Road” Democratic Party, and the National Social Democratic Party also crossed the 5% threshold for seats in the Kuruurtai assembly. The Baitaq Green Party and the People’s Party received less than 5% of the votes and thus failed to gain seats.
Additionally, preliminary results show that 2.51% of voters chose the option "Oppose everything."
August 23rd, Almaty, Kazakhstan: The election committee is counting the votes. IC photo.
Kazakhstan President Tokayev said that this election demonstrated the unity, sense of responsibility, and patriotism of Kazakh citizens. The comprehensive modernization and political and economic reforms in Kazakhstan have become an irreversible trend. He stated that the results of the Kuryurt election indicate that these reform measures have received support from the majority of Kazakh citizens.
Tokayev said that this provides a reliable guarantee for the construction and development of a fair and progressive Kazakhstan. He thanked friendly countries for congratulating Kazakhstan on the successful holding of the first directly elected parliament elections, and wished the leaders of friendly countries greater success in formulating plans to promote sustainable development in their countries.
Kazakhstan previously had a bicameral parliament. The new constitution that came into effect on July 1 this year stipulates the establishment of a unicameral parliament called Kurultai, consisting of 145 members, with members serving a five-year term.
