Kazakhstan’s First Kurultai Election Concludes With Preliminary Voter Turnout at 74.19%
Voting in Kazakhstan’s first elections to the Kurultai concluded at polling stations across the country at 8 p.m. on Aug. 23, with 9,352,151 voters casting ballots, representing a preliminary turnout of 74.19% of registered voters, according to the Central Election Commission (CEC).
Polling stations have closed nationwide, and precinct election commissions have begun counting the ballots. Under Kazakhstan’s election legislation, the vote-counting process may take no more than 12 hours from the start of counting. Territorial election commissions will transmit preliminary voting and counting results to the CEC electronically.
Turnout was highest in the Turkistan Region, where 92.16% of registered voters participated. It was followed by the Zhetisu Region at 91.19% and the Kyzylorda Region at 90.75%.
The Aktobe Region recorded turnout of 88.30%, while East Kazakhstan reached 87.50% and Zhambyl Region recorded 85.18%.
Other regional turnout figures included 82.69% in Akmola, 81.41% in Abai, 77.31% in North Kazakhstan, 76.47% in Kostanai and 76.28% in Karagandy.
Among Kazakhstan’s cities of national significance, Shymkent recorded the highest turnout at 75.42%, followed by Astana at 51.67% and Almaty at 43.23%.
Turnout stood at 73.38% in West Kazakhstan, 71.38% in Mangystau, 71.20% in Pavlodar, 71.17% in Almaty Region, 70.74% in Atyrau and 70.72% in Ulytau.
Voting Continues at Overseas Polling Stations
Voting at polling stations abroad is continuing according to local time zones. As of 7 p.m. Astana time, all 79 polling stations established at Kazakhstan’s diplomatic missions and consular offices in 61 countries had opened.
Voting had concluded in 11 countries, with 6,007 of the 11,402 registered voters abroad having cast their ballots.
Polling stations in Washington, New York, San Francisco, Ottawa and Brasilia remained open at the time of the latest update. A total of 74 overseas polling stations were expected to complete voting by midnight Astana time.
The final overseas polling station is scheduled to close at Kazakhstan’s Consulate General in San Francisco at 8 a.m. Astana time on Aug. 24.
Protocols from overseas precinct election commissions will subsequently be transmitted to the CEC and incorporated into the overall election results.
Observers Assess Kazakhstan’s New Parliamentary System
International observers said the election represents a significant shift in the structure of Kazakhstan’s legislature, while emphasizing that the effectiveness of the new political system will ultimately depend on its ability to strengthen accountability, maintain institutional stability and provide a predictable environment for citizens and investors.
The election marks the first vote for Kazakhstan’s new unicameral Kurultai, which will consist of 145 deputies elected through proportional representation in a single nationwide constituency.
The establishment of the Kurultai follows the adoption of Kazakhstan’s new Constitution in 2026 and represents a major change in the country’s parliamentary framework.
The CEC is expected to announce preliminary election results at a dedicated briefing. The time of the briefing will be communicated separately.
