Kazakhstan's ruling party, Adilet, has comfortably won Sunday's elections to the new single-chamber parliament, according to exit polls. The polls, reported by state television, gave the pro-Tokayev Adilet party between 70 and 72 percent of the vote, securing most of the parliament's 145 seats. This victory consolidates President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's hold on power. The electoral commission reported a turnout of 74.19 percent, with some regions seeing up to 90 percent participation.
The new parliamentary chamber was established following constitutional changes that authorities claim will democratize the country, though critics argue it has cemented the president's power. Kazakhstan, an ally of Russia and close to China, is also an important partner for the European Union due to its vast natural resources and strategic location between Europe and Asia.
Around 12.6 million of Kazakhstan's 20 million population were eligible to vote. The country adopted a new constitution in March, abolishing the upper house Senate in favor of a one-body parliament known as the kurultai. Officials claim this change will enhance the parliament's role in political decision-making, previously confined under a system where power was concentrated in the presidency.
President Tokayev, who came to power in 2019, has promoted a reform program called "Just Kazakhstan" since the 2022 riots where 238 people died following cost-of-living protests. The 73-year-old leader aims to distance himself from his authoritarian predecessor, Nursultan Nazarbayev, who ruled for three decades after the Soviet Union's collapse. However, only seven state-approved parties, all loyal to Tokayev, were permitted to field candidates in Sunday's vote. Five of these parties won enough votes to be represented in the new parliament, according to the exit polls.
The constitutional changes also reset term limits that would have otherwise been imposed on Tokayev, allowing him to run again in 2029. Adilet, effectively a rebrand of the current ruling party Amanat, was created specifically to support Tokayev's agenda. Ahead of the vote, it was clear that Adilet was set to win the majority of parliament's seats.
For Bangladesh, Kazakhstan's political stability is significant as it influences regional dynamics and economic partnerships. The outcome of these elections may impact future trade and diplomatic relations between the two countries.
