Kazakhstan election gives Adilet sweeping victory in new Kurultai

Kazakhstan’s Adilet party has won a commanding 71.17% of the vote in the country’s first parliamentary election under its new constitutional system, according to preliminary results released Monday by the Central Election Commission. The Aug. 23 vote marked the debut of the new 145-seat, one-chamber Kurultai.

Adilet far ahead of its rivals

Adilet, the political successor to the former Amanat ruling party, finished well ahead of the other six parties that competed in the election. The Auyl party placed second with 6.26%, while Respublica took 5.56% and Ak Zhol received 5.21%.

The Nationwide Social Democratic Party also secured parliamentary entry after obtaining 5.11%. Two other parties remained below the threshold, with the People’s Party of Kazakhstan recording 3.11% and the Green Party Baytak receiving 1.07%. Meanwhile, 2.51% of voters chose the “against all” option.

Turnout exceeds 74%

According to the Central Election Commission, 9,351,539 people participated in the vote, producing a preliminary turnout of 74.08%. The election represents the first test of Kazakhstan’s new parliamentary structure following sweeping constitutional changes adopted earlier this year.

The Kurultai replaces the former bicameral parliament and consists of 145 members. Unlike the previous system, all seats in the new legislature were contested through party lists, with parties required to exceed 5% of the vote to secure representation.

Adilet outlines reform agenda

During the campaign, Adilet placed government reform, economic development and digitalization among its principal priorities. The party also highlighted education, development outside major urban centers and social protection as key areas of its political program.

The preliminary result gives Adilet a strong position in Kazakhstan’s new legislature as the country implements its revised constitutional framework and begins the next stage of parliamentary politics.