Kazakhstan’s new ruling party projected to win Sunday elections

Key Points:

• Early exit polls from Kazakhstan's parliamentary election project five parties entering the new 145-member Kurultai, with the Adilet party winning a commanding majority of approximately 109 seats.
• This election is the first under Kazakhstan's new constitution, which replaced the bicameral parliament with a single-chamber Kurultai; independent candidates were not allowed, and all seats were contested through party lists.
• The newly formed Adilet party, established in April and absorbing the long-ruling Amanat party, secured over 70% of the vote, while Auyl, Respublica, Ak Zhol, and the Nationwide Social Democratic Party also crossed the 5% threshold to enter parliament.
• President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced plans to appoint Kazakhstan’s first vice president soon and launch the Kazakhstan People’s Council to support regional development projects, coinciding with recent openings of major infrastructure facilities.
• Tokayev did not confirm whether he will seek another presidential term, citing that it is premature to speculate, while international observers praised the election’s digitalisation and accessibility measures for voters with disabilities.