Over 8.2 million voters cast ballots in Kazakhstan's first election under new Constitution

Turnout in Kazakhstan's first elections to the new unicameral parliament, the Kurultai, reached 65.37% by 4 pm local time (1100 GMT) on Sunday, surpassing the turnout recorded in the last parliamentary elections in 2023, the Central Election Commission said.

CEC member Assel Zhanabilova said 8,240,336 (8.2 million) voters cast their ballots, representing 65.37% of those registered to vote.

Turnout varied significantly across the country, she noted.

Almaty, the country's largest city, recorded the lowest rate at 36.65%, while the highest turnout was reported in the Kyzylorda region at 81.38%.

In the capital Astana, 46.38% of registered voters cast ballots, according to CEC data.

Turnout in the 2023 elections to Kazakhstan's lower house, the Mazhilis, was 54.21%.

The Aug. 23 vote is the first parliamentary election held under the new Constitution, adopted in a referendum earlier this year.

The new document abolished the previous bicameral parliament and replaced it with a 145-member unicameral Kurultai.

All 145 seats are being contested through party lists, with voters choosing among seven registered political parties.

There is no minimum turnout threshold for parliamentary elections, meaning the vote is considered valid regardless of the number of voters who participate.