Kazakhstan holds first Parliamentary elections under new Constitution

Kazakhstan on Sunday held an election to constitute the first Kurultai (Parliament) under the Constitution that entered into force on July 1, 2026.

Voters are choosing among seven registered party lists for all 145 seats in a single nationwide constituency. The vote completes the transition from the former bicameral Parliament - the Mazhilis and Senate - to a unicameral national legislature.

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on Sunday that the new Vice President is expected to be appointed within the next week or 10 days. He speaking to media representatives after casting his ballot in the country’s first elections to the Kurultai on Aug. 23. Tokayev also highlighted the planned launch of the Kazakhstan Khalyk Kenesi, a new state body that he said would build on the work previously carried out by the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. According to him, the new institution will serve as a multifunctional political mechanism as part of the country’s broader reforms.


The new Constitution of Kazakhstan was approved in the 15 March referendum, with 87.15% of participating voters in favour and turnout of 73.12%. It took effect on 1 July; the former Parliament’s mandate ended and the election was called within the constitutionally required two-month transition period.

The Kurultai will replace both the Mazhilis and Senate as Kazakhstan’s sole national legislative body. All 145 seats are elected; there are no appointed seats.

The Kurultai will legislate, approves the national budget, exercises parliamentary oversight and may consider confidence in the Government. It consents to presidential nominees for Vice President, Prime Minister and specified senior posts.

The President must convene the first session within 30 days after publication of the results. The Government relinquishes its powers before the newly elected Kurultai.

Parties receiving at least 5% share the mandates proportionally. If only one party crosses the threshold, the party with the next-highest vote total is also included. The registered lists contain 545 candidates: 172 women and 373 men. The average age of the candidate is 45.4 years.