- By: Rizwan Inayat
Kazakhstan has entered a new chapter in its political history with the election of its first-ever unicameral Kurultai, marking the implementation of a new constitutional framework and replacing the country’s former bicameral Parliament.
The landmark election was held on August 23, 2026, following the adoption of a new Constitution through a March referendum. The new 145-member Kurultai is elected entirely through nationwide proportional representation, with all deputies serving five-year terms.
The scale of participation was significant. Kazakhstan had 12,623,289 registered voters, of whom 9,351,539 cast ballots, producing a turnout of 74.08 percent. Voting was conducted at 10,423 polling stations, including 79 stations established at Kazakh diplomatic missions in 61 countries.
Seven political parties contested the election with a total of 545 candidates, but only five parties crossed the statutory five-percent threshold required to win representation in the new chamber.
The Adilet Party emerged as the dominant political force, securing 71.17 percent of the vote, or 6,528,948 ballots, and winning 110 of the Kurultai’s 145 seats. The Auyl Party secured 10 seats, Respublica won nine, the Ak Zhol Democratic Party took eight, and the Nationwide Social Democratic Party secured eight seats.
Three other political groupings failed to cross the threshold. The People’s Party of Kazakhstan received 3.11 percent, Baytaq Green Party secured 1.07 percent, while 2.51 percent of voters selected the “Against all” option.
- A More Diverse Parliament
One of the notable features of the first Kurultai is the increased representation of women. Women occupy 49 of the 145 seats, representing 33.8 percent of the chamber, compared with 18.4 percent in the former Mazhilis. Eighteen deputies, or 12.4 percent of the chamber, fall into the youth category.
The new chamber also contains a substantial number of newcomers. At least 36 deputies have previous national parliamentary experience, while 109 deputies, or 75.2 percent, are entering the national Parliament for the first time.
The composition suggests a Parliament combining experienced political figures with a large influx of new representatives. The leaders of all five parties that won seats also secured mandates.
The dominant Adilet faction itself includes 37 women, 13 youth representatives and two persons with disabilities. It also includes representatives of other ethnic groups and members with backgrounds ranging from environmental affairs and volunteering to information technology.
- What Makes This Election Different?
The importance of the election goes beyond the distribution of parliamentary seats. It represents the first nationwide vote conducted under Kazakhstan’s new Constitution, which was approved on March 15, 2026, by 87.15 percent of referendum participants on a turnout of 73.12 percent. The Constitution entered into force on July 1.
The constitutional changes replaced the former Senate and Mazhilis system with a single 145-member Kurultai. Unlike the previous arrangement, there are no appointed parliamentary seats or single-member constituency elections. All deputies are elected under the same nationwide proportional system for five-year terms.
The new Kurultai is also expected to play an important role in the functioning of Kazakhstan’s political system. Its powers include legislation, budgetary matters, appointments requiring parliamentary consent and government accountability. It will also consider presidential nominations for positions including the Vice President and Prime Minister.
- Strong Voter Participation
The 74.08-percent turnout represents a notable increase compared with Kazakhstan’s 54.21-percent turnout in the 2023 parliamentary election and is broadly comparable with participation in the March constitutional referendum.
- Participation also extended beyond Kazakhstan’s borders. Of the 11,402 citizens registered to vote overseas, 9,623 cast ballots, resulting in an overseas turnout of 84.4 percent.
The election authorities also introduced accessibility measures, including bilingual Braille ballot templates, information points, large monitors, headphones, magnifiers and additional lighting. Home voting was available for eligible citizens unable to reach polling stations.
- International Eyes on the Vote
The election attracted considerable international attention. The Central Election Commission accredited 777 international observers, including 160 representatives from 42 foreign states and 617 representatives of 13 international organisations.
International observers offered differing assessments. The OSCE/ODIHR-led mission described the election as technically well prepared and the campaign as generally calm and orderly, while also raising concerns about limited political pluralism and aspects of transparency.
The CIS Observer Mission, meanwhile, described the election as well organised and conducted at a high organisational level, characterising it as fair, competitive and open under Kazakhstan’s legislation. Other international observer missions, including those from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Organization of Turkic States, also reported generally positive observations, while noting that final assessments would follow.
- The Road Ahead
The first session of the new Kurultai was scheduled for August 28, 2026, in Astana. The chamber is expected to establish its leadership, political factions and committees and begin exercising its constitutional responsibilities.
The new Parliament will therefore be at the centre of Kazakhstan’s transition to its new constitutional order. With 110 of the 145 seats controlled by Adilet and more than three-quarters of deputies entering the national Parliament for the first time, the chamber combines a dominant political faction with a significant influx of new lawmakers.
Kazakhstan’s first Kurultai election is consequently more than a change in parliamentary architecture. It is the first major electoral test of the country’s new constitutional system and the beginning of a new phase in its political institutions.
How effectively the new chamber exercises its legislative, oversight and appointment powers—and how the political system develops under the new constitutional framework—will determine the lasting significance of this historic election.