Polling stations opened across Kazakhstan on Sunday for the Central Asian nation’s first parliamentary election to a newly restructured single-chamber legislature, the Kurultai. The vote, widely expected to solidify the grip of 73-year-old President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on power, comes as the culmination of a sweeping constitutional overhaul initiated by the incumbent leader earlier this year. Political analysts broadly predict that the ruling pro-presidential Adilet party will secure an overwhelming majority in the new legislative body, with a handful of smaller parties aligned with Tokayev also projected to win seats.
Kazakhstan votes in parliamentary election expected to strengthen president’s grip on power
