Photo:The 2023 Kazakh Parliamentary Elections
24 March 2023
By Susan Novela
The Diplomatic Informer Magazine SA
Kazakhstan held early legislative elections alongside local elections on 19 March 2023 to elect the members of the Mäjilis. These were the ninth legislative elections since Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991 and the first early elections for the Mäjili seats since 2016.
Voters in Kazakhstan went to the polls to elect lawmakers for the lower house of parliament, which has been reconfigured in the wake of the deadly unrest that gripped the resource-rich Central Asian nation a year ago. 10,223 polling stations both in the country and abroad, where 77 stations in 62 countries were made available for Kazakhstan’s citizens abroad. About 54% of eligible voters cast their ballots, according to the National Elections Commission. Many foreign observers described the elections as “transparent and open” thereby entrenching the legitimacy of the government for adherence to constitutional reforms and amendments made by Kazakhstan government. The elections were generally in line with national legislation and international election standards.
Over 6.5 million Kazakh citizens out of more than 12 million eligible voters cast their ballots at 10,223 polling stations across Kazakhstan. Turnout varied across the country, with the Kyzylorda Region leading with 67.21 percent. The lowest turnout was recorded in the city of Almaty, with 25.82 percent, a trend that the city has shown in almost all previous elections.
Only a few regions passed the 60 percent mark, including: the Zhambyl Region at 65.23 percent, the Kostanai Region at 65.1 percent, the North Kazakhstan Region at 65.25 percent, and the East Kazakhstan Region at 64.15 percent. A total of 42.41 percent of eligible voters exercised their right in Astana, the country’s capital, while in Shymkent, another city of national significance, voter turnout reached 45.46 percent.
These were the most competitive legislative elections in Kazakhstan’s modern history, a key step in building a Just and Fair Kazakhstan. These elections demonstrated how far the country has come on its journey towards greater participatory democracy.
Photo: Kazakhstan: Astana, A voter casting her ballot at Polling station 309 at the National Museums of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Seven political parties competed in the elections, including two new parties that were able to participate due to simplified party registration rules. A total of 281 candidates from seven party lists vied for seats in the Majhilis, in addition to 435 candidates in single-mandate constituencies, including 359 self-nominated candidates.
The previous legislative elections in Kazakhstan took place in January 2021. Five parties participated in those elections, with three parties gaining seats in the MaJhilis – the ruling Amanat party (previously Nur Otan), Aq Jol, and the People’s Party.
Significant work has been conducted in Kazakhstan in recent years on comprehensive political modernization. These elections finalize the transition from a super-presidential system towards the normative presidential system under a model put forward by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev- a “strong” President, an influential parliament, and an accountable government.
Photo: Voting taking place at
Polling station No. 639, the House of Culture District
Photo credit: The Diplomatic Informer Magazine SA
#Kazakhstan
These elections became a continuation of massive transformation. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visionary policies and robust projects that have steered the country onto a path of glorious development and progress. President Tokayev has always kept the “public first” approach. He has driven remarkable initiatives, which are the basis for creating a new socio-economic approach for the further development of the country. While building a new Kazakhstan, advancing political reforms, ensuring macroeconomic stability, and developing entrepreneurship. The country has also strengthened local governments and increased the role and stature of the parliament. It will continue to modernize the economy, ensure effective governance, and raise the standard of living for its people. The government’s vision for the future development of the country and raising people’s welfare.
Since January 2022, Kazakhstan has further embarked on a reform process to guarantee the country’s stability, and according to Kazakh official statements, increase domestic modernisation and democratisation. Indeed, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has often reiterated his strategy of opening a new stage of political development for the country, which lays the foundation for a “New and Just Kazakhstan.”
In March 2022, President Tokayev proposed constitutional reforms aimed at changing the entire state model and form of government in the country by limiting the powers of the president, strengthening the role of Parliament, expanding the participation of citizens in political processes and further strengthening the protection of human rights.
The Kazakhstan’s Parliamentary elections held on March 19, the exit poll showed the ruling Amanat Party winning 53-54% of the vote, gaining a majority. The success of these elections confirms the Kazakh citizens’ approval of the work of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and thus seal his leadership and government by giving them solid support for their strategy both in domestic and foreign policy.
Photo: Kazakhstan: Astana, The Diplomatic Informer Magazine visited Polling station 309 at the National Museums of the Republic of Kazakhstan during voting.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) announced the preliminary results of the March 19 election to the Majhilis, the lower house of parliament of Kazakhstan preliminary data, over 6.3 million people voted in the election, a turnout of approximately 54%, six parties received enough votes to pass the required five percent threshold to gain seats in parliament as follows:
Amanat – 53.9% (over 3.4 million votes)
Auyl – 10.9% (693,938 votes)
Respublica – 8.59% (547,154)
Aq Jol – 8.41% (535,139)
People’s Party of Kazakhstan – 6.8% (432,290)
National Social Democratic Party – 5.2% (331,058)
Baytaq – 2.30% (146,431)
3.90% of voters chose the option “against all” – 248,291 votes.
Building democracy is work in progress and effort is needed for political modernization. The parliamentary elections were conducted at the highest standard and the multi-party system in Kazakhstan has made a step forward, setting an example for other countries. Kazakh citizens were inspired to secure the country’s peaceful development at the election.
We can only hope that the success of the 2023 parliamentary elections will contribute to the further consolidation of society, of democracy, and that the idea of a new and fair Kazakhstan will develop with the population really participating in these elections.
Congratulation to the government and the people of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the successful parliamentary elections and all measures taken to conduct the elections in strict compliance with the current legislation, and ensure openness, transparency, and democratic procedures of voting are commendable.