Kazakh President Tokayev casts ballot in landmark parliamentary vote

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev cast his ballot on Sunday in parliamentary elections, a vote widely seen as a further consolidation of his authority in Central Asia's largest nation.

Tokayev, 73, voted at a polling station in Astana's Independence Palace. The former Soviet official and diplomat has led the country since 2019.

The election is the first for the newly established single-chamber parliament, known as the Kurultai. It follows a constitutional overhaul initiated by Tokayev in March, when 87% of voters approved a referendum to merge the two legislative chambers and grant the president expanded powers to appoint key officials, subject to parliamentary approval, including the reestablishment of the vice presidency.

The pro-presidential Adilet party is expected to win a commanding majority, with several smaller loyalist parties also projected to gain parliamentary representation.

Tokayev has framed the constitutional changes as necessary for rapid decision-making in a fast-changing world. He has sought to maintain a delicate balance between Moscow and the West since sanctions were imposed on Russia over its war in Ukraine.

Last month, the Constitutional Court ruled that the amendments reset the clock on Tokayev's previous terms in office, potentially allowing him to run for another seven-year term.