Moscow, Aug 24. (dpa/GNA) – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has further consolidated his power after his party won the authoritarian nation’s first vote to be held to a unicameral parliament.
The Adilet party, which unites forces aligned with Tokayev, secured around 71.2% of votes in Sunday’s elections, according to preliminary results from the Central Election Commission. The remaining six parties achieved only single-digit results. No opposition parties or independent candidates were permitted to stand. Voter turnout reached around 74%.
The election seals a constitutional reform through which Kazakhstan abolished its three-decade-old bicameral parliamentary system, replacing it with a single chamber of representatives.
The Kurultai, the new unicameral parliament, has 145 members and Tokayev seeks to use the new structure to pass laws more quickly.
Election observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said the poll was held in an environment lacking political pluralism. There had been no political alternatives, it noted, as all the parties standing for election had supported Tokayev’s policies.
Five parties are represented in the new parliament. The Kurultai is expected to appoint a vice-president for the first time in 30 years, after the post was constitutionally abolished in 1996. Tokayev proposed the step, which will allow him to position a potential successor.
In March, the oil- and gas-rich country approved a constitutional amendment merging the two existing chambers of parliament into one.
After Tokayev succeeded long-time ruler Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2019, many hoped for democratic change. Now, under the new constitution, Tokayev can stand for a further seven-year term in 2029.
Kazakhstan, which has abundant mineral resources, is a key partner to the European Union.
GNA