Astana – Kassym-Jomart Tokayev won by an overwhelming majority and was re-elected as President of Kazakhstan for a second term of 7 years, in the seventh elections since the country’s independence in 1991, which was held (Yesterday, 20 Nov.), in which he received 81.31% of the votes, meanwhile Tokayev said that If he is elected, the government will remain in its positions, but changes in the formation of the government and other agencies will of course occur, and he will announce the date of the parliamentary elections at the end of this year, stressing work to improve the welfare of citizens, adherence to United Nations charters and the adoption of a sound foreign policy.
According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), 8 300 046 citizens casted their ballot, a voter turnout of 69.44%. 11,953,465 voters were registered to vote. Highest voter turnout was recorded in the Zhetisu region at 81.42%, while lowest turnout was recorded in Almaty at 28.72%, and the voter turnout abroad was 88,47% with 11,360 people casting their vote. Meanwhile voting took place at 10,101 polling stations across the country, including 68 polling stations at 53 diplomatic missions of Kazakhstan around the world.
The highest voter turnout was recorded in Zhetysu region with 81.42%, while the lowest was in Almaty at 28.72%, voter turnout abroad was 88.47% and 11,360 people voted. Commenting on the electoral process, foreign observers praised the high organizational level of the elections, and observers did not report any violations in the conduct of the elections, while 641 observers from international organizations and foreign countries were accredited by the Central Election Commission, including the OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions. and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. (SCO)
According to the preliminary results of the Central Election Commission (CEC) on November 21, candidates received votes as follows:
- Kassym-Jomart-Tokayev (People’s Coalition) – 81.31%
- Zhiguli Dairabayev (Auyl Party) – 3.42%
- Karakat Abden (National Alliance of Professional Social Workers) – 2.60%
- Meiram Kazhyken (Amanat Commonwealth of Trade Unions) – 2.53%
- Nurlan Auesbayev (National Social Democratic Party) – 2.22%
- Saltanat Tursynbekova (Qazaq Analary – Dasturge Zhol public association) – 2.12%
- “Against all” – 5.8%
Presidential elections were scheduled for 2024 and parliamentary elections in 2025, but in September of this year Tokayev called early presidential and parliamentary elections, stating that a new term was needed to maintain the momentum of reforms after the June referendum.
For his part, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, speaking after casting his vote, said that if he is elected, “the government will remain in its positions, but changes in the formation of the government and other agencies will, of course,” noting that he will announce the date of the parliamentary elections at the end of this year.
Presidential elections were scheduled for 2024 and parliamentary elections in 2025, but in September of this year Tokayev called early presidential and parliamentary elections, stating that a new term was needed to maintain the momentum of reforms after the June referendum.
For his part, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, speaking after casting his vote, said that if he is elected, “the government will remain in its positions, but changes in the formation of the government and other agencies will, of course,” noting that he will announce the date of the parliamentary elections at the end of this year.
In response to a question from a journalist yesterday about whether seven years will be enough to fulfil all the promises to the people, Tokayev said: “I think that seven years will be enough, because this is a long period in a person’s life, and the most important thing is that there will be no monopoly on power in our country. “.
In the aftermath of polling day poll results, President Tokayev affirmed that the elections were held according to law and justice, and said: “The candidates freely visited the regions, met the voters and campaigned, and there were no restrictions on anyone. Each voter was given freedom of choice. Therefore, this campaign was fair and open.”
Tokayev added: “The authorities will improve the well-being of citizens. To realize all these goals, we need unity, and today is a very important historic, and we vote for a bright future for our country.”
“The government will remain in office, but of course there will be gradual changes in the composition of the government and other agencies.”
On the parliamentary elections, President Tokayev said: “I will announce the date of the parliamentary elections at the end of the year. As for the new political parties, the new parties will be registered, and this process is underway. In Parliament, several parties will be able to meet the appropriate conditions and register. I think this is in our interest.”
On whether seven years will be enough to fulfil all the promises to the people, Tokayev said: “I think that seven years will be enough, because this is a long period in a person’s life, and the most important thing is that there will be no monopoly on power in our country.”
Regarding Kazakhstan’s foreign policy: “Kazakhstan should conduct a multi-vector foreign policy. I have said many times that Kazakhstan should abide by the UN Charter and pursue a peaceful foreign policy.”
