Kazakh President Tokayev Announces Kurultai Elections for August

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced that elections for Kazakhstan's new unicameral Parliament, the Kurultai, will be held in August of this year. The announcement was made during a ceremony honoring scientists in Astana.

"As the Head of State, I consider it extremely important to provide advance notification about events of great significance for our country," Tokayev stated. "Therefore, immediately after the Constitution comes into force, I will sign a Decree on holding elections to the unicameral Kurultai. The elections will take place in August."

The President emphasized that this early announcement is intended to give political parties a clear planning horizon and sufficient time to properly prepare for the election campaign. He noted that parties would have approximately five months to conduct necessary work with voters.

Tokayev framed the upcoming parliamentary vote as the beginning of a large-scale "restructuring" of Kazakhstan's entire political system. He stressed that it is crucial for ongoing political and economic reforms to be closely linked with positive "mental" changes within society.

The announcement follows a major constitutional overhaul, with amendments affecting about 84 percent of the country's Basic Law. Key changes include introducing the position of Vice President, transitioning to a unicameral Parliament (the Kurultai), and establishing a new advisory body—the People's Council of Kazakhstan.

A ceremonial event marking the adoption of the amended Constitution was held in Astana on March 17. During his speech at that event, Tokayev indicated that future lawmaking processes would be synchronized with the upcoming parliamentary elections, which are planned before the opening of a new session. He also signed a decree on implementing the new Constitution on the same day.