Kazakhstan votes with only state-approved parties

Kazakhstan votes on Sunday for a new unicameral parliament, with only seven state-approved parties allowed to field candidates in the nationwide election.

About 12.6 million people are eligible to vote in the country of 20 million. The election follows constitutional changes adopted in March that abolished the upper house Senate and created a one-body parliament known as the kurultai.

Authorities say the change will give parliament more weight in political decision-making. Critics say it will cement the power of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, whose office already dominates the political system.

AFP reported that the permitted parties are broadly loyal to Tokayev and that genuine opposition groups have been banned. The pro-Tokayev Adilet party, effectively a rebrand of the ruling Amanat party, was created to support Tokayev's agenda and is expected to win most of the 145 seats.

Tokayev came to power in 2019 and has promoted a reform programme called “Just Kazakhstan” since 238 people died in 2022 riots that followed cost-of-living protests. The constitutional changes also reset term limits that would otherwise have applied to Tokayev, allowing him to run again in 2029, although he has said he does not intend to remain in office beyond then.

Kazakhstan is an ally of Russia and maintains close ties with China, while its natural resources and location between Europe and Asia also make it an important partner for the European Union.