Moscow, Aug 24. (dpa/GNA) – Kazakhstan has abolished its three decade old bicameral parliament, and elected a single-chamber legislature for the first time, following a constitutional reform in the authoritarian Central Asian republic.
No opposition parties or independent candidates were permitted to stand in Sunday’s election of the Kurultai, the new unicameral parliament with 145 seats.
The election under the new system served to consolidate the power of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who wants to use it to pass legislation more quickly. The Kurultai is also expected to appoint a vice president for the first time in 30 years, at the suggestion of Tokayev.
The move could allow the 73-year-old president to position a potential successor. The post was abolished in the constitution in 1996.
Some 12.6 million people were eligible to vote. Voter turnout stood at over 74% by the time the polling stations closed in the evening, meaning that, according to the authorities, the ballot was valid.
Seven parties were permitted to take part, including the new Adilet party, which is intended to consolidate forces around President Tokayev. All parties support the president. Dissenting voters have the option of marking “against all” on the ballot paper. Meaningful results are not expected until Monday.
The vote is being monitored by observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which is due to deliver its verdict on Monday.
Ahead of the vote, media outlets and journalists had complained of restrictions on press freedom and freedom of expression in the country, which borders Russia. The oil- and gas-rich country voted in March to merge its two existing parliamentary chambers into one as part of a constitutional amendment. When President Tokayev succeeded long-time ruler Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2019, many had hoped for democratic change.
Under the new constitution, Tokayev will also be able to stand again in the 2029 presidential election and seek a further seven-year term in office. Kazakhstan – the world’s largest landlocked country, with vast natural resources – is the most important partner for the European Union in Central Asia.
GNA