Kazakhstan’s ninth legislative elections since independence in 1991 took place on Sunday.
The elections were the first snap election for the Mäjilis seats since 2016.
The parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan mark the last step for the country’s complete reformation, based on modernisation and democratisation in line with the new path promoted by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The Kazakh parliamentary elections play a significant role in the country’s political spectrum because they confirm government leadership and people’s support.
They also increase the stability and reliability of this Central Asian republic, which has attracted the interest of regional and foreign investors.
As a result of the constitutional reforms adopted after the June 2022 referendum, 70% of Majilis deputies will be elected from party lists and 30% from single-member districts.
Elections to maslikhats in provincial regions and cities of national importance will also be held under a mixed electoral system with a 50/50 balance.
The new model of Majilis and maslikhats was adopted to fully protect voters’ national and regional interests and to ensure representation of a wide range of views in the power brokerage bodies.
In January 2022, Kazakhstan witnessed protests due to the rise of fuel prices, which flared up across the entire country, Kazakh President Kassim-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency and requested the support of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO).
After some days of tension and chaos, national authorities, and security forces managed to stabilise the situation and quelled the protests.
Since January 2022, Kazakhstan has embarked on a reform process to guarantee the country’s stability, and according to Kazakh official statements, increase domestic modernisation, and democratisation.
Indeed, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has often stated his strategy as to open a new stage of political development for the country, which lays the foundation for a “New and Just Kazakhstan.
In March 2022, Tokayev proposed constitutional reforms aimed at changing the entire state model and form of government in the country by limiting the powers of the president, strengthening the role of Parliament, expanding the participation of citizens in political processes, and further strengthening the protection of human rights.
On 5 June 2022, a national referendum on amending the Constitution of Kazakhstan was held.
Around 77% of Kazakh voters decided to amend the country’s Constitution.
International observers who attended the referendum said they were pleased with the results.
They observed that every requirement of the electoral legislation and the country’s international obligations were successfully met.
Kazakhstan’s Central Referendum Commission accredited 272 foreign observers representing 25 countries and 11 international organisations to make the referendum objective and transparent.
On 20 November 2022, early presidential elections confirmed Tokayev’s leadership and accorded him a new mandate of seven years.
Among six candidates, Tokayev won the presidential elections, securing his leadership and the people’s support for his strategy for a new Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan is a key player in the Central Asian geopolitical arena.
Due to its geographical position and natural resources, regional and international powers.
The country has attracted foreign investment and entrepreneurs, thanks to its natural resources, including abundant natural minerals, hydrocarbons, and rare earth metals.
The parliamentary elections represent the last step in the modernisation and stabilisation of the country desired by the Kazakh leadership in response to the perplexities and doubts that arose during and following the protests of January 2022.
Should the turnout at the polling stations be high and the ruling party Amanat wins.
These elections could confirm the Kazakh citizens’ approval of the work of Tokayev and thus seal his leadership and government by giving them solid support for their strategy both in domestic and foreign policy.
It seems that the elections of March 19, 2023, in Kazakhstan will be held fairly and transparently, considering that its conduct is one of the necessary constitutional and legal prerequisites for the continuation of the implementation of reforms in Kazakh society, for which the people of Kazakhstan voted in the constitutional referendum.
The elections are expected to create conditions for a better life in peace, freedom, security, and stability.
