Kazakhstan holds parliamentary election expected to cement president’s grip

Only state-approved parties loyal to President Tokayev permitted to take part amid a sweeping constitutional overhaul.Published On 23 Aug 202623 Aug 2026Voters are heading to the polls in Kazakhstan’s snap parliamentary election, which critics say will strengthen the power of the president.Polling stations opened at 7am local time (02:00 GMT) and are scheduled to close at 8pm (15:00 GMT). More than 12 million of Kazakhstan’s 20 million people are eligible to vote.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Kazakhstan parliamentary elections begin: What’s at stake?list 2 of 4Ukraine’s Zelenskyy set to meet Trump as Iran and Ukraine wars convergelist 3 of 4Kazakhstan releases first tiger to restore extinct specieslist 4 of 4Ukraine’s 40-day campaign has not brought the war closer to an endend of listThe election will usher in a new 145-member unicameral legislature that is expected to be dominated by supporters of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who has led the Central Asian country since 2019.Constitutional overhauls earlier this year abolished Kazakhstan’s upper house in favour of a one-body parliament. Officials claim the change will give parliament more weight in political dec...