Kazakhstan's ruling Adilet party leads with over 70% in first election to unicameral Kurultai

New legislature and exit poll projections

Kazakhstan conducted snap elections on 23 August 2026 to choose 145 deputies for its new single-chamber parliament, the Kurultai. The election followed constitutional changes that dissolved the previous bicameral legislature, which consisted of the Senate and Mazhilis. According to exit polls published in state media, the pro-presidential Adilet party secured between 70% and 72% of the vote. Adilet formed earlier in 2026 by absorbing the long-ruling Amanat party, taking over its assets and personnel. Seven political parties and 545 candidates appeared on the ballot, competing under party lists with a 5% electoral threshold for a five-year term.

Turnout patterns and regional disparities

The Central Election Commission reported a preliminary national voter turnout of 74.19%, with 9,352,151 of the country's 12,605,788 registered voters casting ballots. Authorities opened 10,423 polling stations domestically and 79 locations at embassies and consulates abroad across a country of 20.5 million residents. Polling numbers showed substantial geographic variation, with the highest participation recorded in the Turkistan region at 92.16%, followed by the Zhetysu and Kyzylorda regions. Urban centers recorded much lower participation rates. In the capital, Astana, turnout reached 51.67%, while the former capital and most populous city, Almaty, registered 43.23%. Kazakh electoral law does not set a minimum turnout threshold for the election to be considered valid.

Constitutional reform and new executive powers

The Kurultai was established through a constitutional reform initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in autumn 2025, with the new constitution taking effect on 1 July 2026. Authorities presented the transition to a unicameral system as a way to accelerate legislative proceedings and expand the role of political parties. The new parliament holds the authority to pass laws, approve state budgets, cast votes of no confidence against the cabinet, and approve nominees for prime minister, constitutional court judges, and other state bodies. The new constitution also created the office of the vice president. Tokayev stated that he would designate the person for the vice-presidential post within ten days following the election.

International news agency Reuters assessed the political outcome of the vote.

The result is expected to consolidate the president's power over this nation, a key exporter of energy and mineral resources.

Observer reactions and electoral criticism

Opposition groups and independent observers criticized the electoral process, pointing to the complete absence of genuine opposition parties and independent candidates on the ballot. All seven participating parties, which included Auyl, Ak Zhol, the People's Party of Kazakhstan, Baitak, the Nationwide Social Democratic Party, and Respublica, support Tokayev's administration. Voters also had access to an "against all" option on their ballot papers. Several hundred international observers and parliamentarians from more than 40 countries, including Poland, monitored voting operations across the country. The Central Election Commission must release the official election results by 30 August 2026, after which the Kurultai will begin procedures to form the new government.