Kazakhstan votes in election expected to boost president's power

The election was prompted by the recent adoption of a new constitution that reduces Kazakhstan's parliament from two chambers to a single body. According to the country's supreme court, this constitutional change enables Tokayev, who assumed office in 2019, to potentially run for an additional seven-year term.

Opinion surveys indicate substantial support for Adilet, a recently established party aligned with Tokayev, into which the former ruling party Amanat, dominant since the 1990s, has merged. Several other opposition parties, perceived as loyal to Tokayev, are also participating in the election.

Speaking to journalists in the capital, Astana, Tokayev commented that it was premature to determine if he would pursue another term. Tokayev was the designated successor of Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan's inaugural president. He distanced himself from his predecessor following the 2022 unrest, which he characterized as a coup attempt by Nazarbayev's associates.