New party founded eight months ago wins Kazakhstan election with 72 percent

A party founded just eight months ago has swept Kazakhstan's parliamentary elections with nearly 72 per cent of the vote, as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signalled on Sunday he may seek another term despite earlier pledges to step down.

The Adilet party secured 71.8 per cent in exit polls for the new single-chamber parliament, trouncing the agrarian Auyl party, which came second with 6.4 per cent. The margin of victory cements the dominance of a political vehicle led by one of Tokayev's former top aides and backed by business leaders who have risen to prominence during his presidency.

President opens door to re-election

Hours before the results emerged, Tokayev told reporters after casting his ballot that he has "the right to be re-elected in accordance with the law," adding that he might offer "a more specific answer" next year. The remarks mark a potential reversal for the 71-year-old leader, who previously indicated he would serve only one term under constitutional reforms he championed.

Rapid rise of Adilet

Adilet—meaning Justice—was established in May and quickly absorbed the former ruling Amanat party, which had won the 2023 parliamentary elections, in a merger announced in June. Seven parties competed for 145 seats allocated by party list in the new legislature, with five clearing the 5 per cent threshold required for representation, according to the Institute of Eurasian Integration exit poll, which carried a margin of error of plus or minus one percentage point.

Voter turnout reached 74.19 per cent, the central election commission reported.

Overhaul follows 2022 unrest

The vote for the new single-chamber parliament is the latest step in a sweeping constitutional overhaul Tokayev launched after deadly riots in 2022, which he labelled an attempted coup in the Central Asian nation of roughly 20 million people. The redesigned legislature replaces a bicameral system, following a March referendum that also created a vice-presidential post to ensure succession if the president leaves office early.

The electoral landslide and Tokayev's ambiguous remarks on his political future suggest the constitutional changes—ostensibly aimed at diffusing executive power—may instead entrench his influence across Kazakhstan's newly configured institutions.

Source: South China Morning Post