Kazakhstan’s ruling Adilet (Justice) party has won a parliamentary majority with 71.17% of the vote in elections for the new unicameral parliament (Kurultai) of the largest Central Asian republic, according to official preliminary data.
In addition, four other parties crossed the 5% electoral threshold: Auyl, with 6.26% of the vote; Respublica, with 5.56%; the Democratic Party of Kazakhstan “Ak Zhol” (5.21%); and the National Social Democratic Party (5.11%).
The People’s Party of Kazakhstan (3.11%) and the Green Party (1.07%) did not receive the necessary support to enter the new parliament, which will be unicameral for the first time.
According to electoral authorities, 9,351,359 of the 12.6 million eligible Kazakh voters participated in the election, representing a turnout of 74.08% of the voter rolls.
Kazakhstan held on Sunday its first elections for the Kurultai, which replaces the former bicameral legislative body.
The new legislature, which was created after a constitutional referendum in March, will have 145 deputies elected for a five-year term. EFE