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Kazakhstan’s newly formed pro-presidential Adilet party won 71.17% of the vote in Sunday’s parliamentary election, according to preliminary results announced Monday by the Central Election Commission, in a result expected to strengthen President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s political position.
Reuters reported that Adilet, founded earlier this year and led by senior Tokayev aides, incorporated the previous ruling party, Amanat, shortly after its creation.
Central Election Commission Chairman Nurlan Abdirov said 9.35 million people voted out of 12.62 million eligible voters, including 9,865 registered abroad. Preliminary turnout stood at 74.08%.
Adilet finished far ahead of the six other parties contesting the election.
The Auyl party received 6.26%, Respublika 5.56%, the Ak Zhol Democratic Party 5.21% and the Nationwide Social Democratic Party 5.11%.
The People’s Party of Kazakhstan received 3.11%, while the Baytaq Green Party won 1.07%. Another 2.51% of voters selected the “against all” option.
Five of the seven parties cleared the 5% threshold required to enter Kazakhstan’s new 145-seat single-chamber parliament, known as the Kurultai.
Besides Adilet, Auyl, Respublika, Ak Zhol and the Nationwide Social Democratic Party will be represented. The four smaller parties entering parliament are broadly supportive of Tokayev’s government.
Sunday’s election was the first to choose members of the newly created single-chamber Kurultai.
Kazakhstan adopted a new constitution in March that abolished the upper-house Senate and established a one-body parliament, named after the councils historically used by nomadic peoples in Central Asia.
Authorities said the changes would strengthen parliament’s role in political decision-making, while critics argued they further consolidated presidential power.
The constitutional changes also reset term limits that otherwise would have applied to Tokayev, allowing him to seek another term in 2029.
Tokayev, 73, came to power in 2019 and has promoted a reform program known as “Just Kazakhstan” since unrest in 2022, when 238 people were killed after cost-of-living protests escalated.
Only seven state-approved parties, all broadly loyal to Tokayev, were permitted to contest the election, while opposition groups described as genuine opponents remain banned.
Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic with about 20 million people, is an ally of Russia, maintains close ties with China and is also an important partner for the European Union because of its natural resources and strategic position between Europe and Asia.
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