Elections to the Kurultai have begun in Kazakhstan

The first elections to the Kurultai (a new unicameral parliament) have begun in Kazakhstan. The country's Central Election Commission reported this.

Voting began at 7:00 a.m. at 10,363 polling stations in 20 regions of the republic. According to the decision of the regional commissions, another 107 polling stations opened at 6:00 a.m. In addition, 19 polling stations established in 16 foreign countries are also accepting citizens.

A total of 10,423 polling stations are operating in these elections, including 79 representative offices in 61 foreign countries. 12,605,788 citizens are expected to participate in the voting process. Of these, 17,132 have received certificates of deregistration to vote outside their place of residence.

The bicameral parliament of Kazakhstan officially ended its activities on June 30. The reform will fundamentally change the political system of the neighboring republic: a unicameral Kurultay will be established instead of the two-chamber parliament - the Senate and the Majlis, the position of vice president will be restored, and a new advisory body - the People's Council - will appear, whose members are expected to be appointed by the president.

A new Constitution has been in force in the country since July 1. In March, its draft was approved by almost 90 percent of the vote. The new Constitution will allow the incumbent President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to again participate in the elections for the head of state. This is because persons who held certain state positions under the 1995 Constitution may be re-elected or appointed to the relevant positions after the new Constitution enters into force.