Story perspectives

Kazakhstan holds first Kurultai election under new proportional system

8/22/2026

Summary

Kazakhstan Holds Election

Kazakhstan holds its first Kurultai election on Aug. 23 under a new nationwide proportional parliamentary system.
Seven parties campaign on agriculture, social policy, economy, environment and rule of law.
777 observers from 42 countries and 13 organisations, including 138 parliamentarians, monitor the vote.
Parties need at least 5% of votes for any of the 145 Kurultai seats.
Women, youth and disabled candidates comprise 43.9% of registrants, exceeding the 30% quota.

Summary

Observers Monitor Election

Observer missions from CIS, SCO, CSTO, OTS, TURKPA, Azerbaijan and Moldova arrived before Aug 23 vote.
Deputy Minister Arman Issagaliyev briefed OTS and TURKPA delegations on election transparency.
SCO mission led by Deputy Secretary-General T. R. Midhun monitored polls Aug 20-24, including election day.
CSTO observers led by Andrei Kartapolov discussed equipment, transparency with CEC Chair Nurlan Abdirov.
Azerbaijani CEC Chairman Mazahir Panahov met Nurlan Abdirov and attended OTS Advisory Platform Aug 22.

History

Historical Context

In December 1995, after a constitutional referendum created a bicameral parliament, Kazakhstan held its first post-Soviet elections, where President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s Otan party began dominating the Mäjilis. The 1999 vote saw Otan win 23 of 77 seats with 62.5 % turnout. The 2024 Kurultai election now shifts back to a nationwide party-list system, expanding competition beyond the majoritarian model.

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Kazakhstan Holds Election

Kazakhstan holds its first Kurultai election on Aug. 23 under a new nationwide proportional parliamentary system.
Seven parties campaign on agriculture, social policy, economy, environment and rule of law.
777 observers from 42 countries and 13 organisations, including 138 parliamentarians, monitor the vote.
Parties need at least 5% of votes for any of the 145 Kurultai seats.
Women, youth and disabled candidates comprise 43.9% of registrants, exceeding the 30% quota.

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