2026 Kazakh legislative election
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Legislative elections are scheduled to be held in Kazakhstan on 23 August 2026 to elect all 145 members to the Kurultai of the 1st convocation.[1][2] It will be the 10th legislative election since Kazakhstan's independence in 1991 and the first election to the country's new unicameral legislature established by the 2026 Constitution, which was approved in a constitutional referendum and replaced the bicameral Parliament of Kazakhstan upon its entry into force on 1 July 2026.[3] On the same day, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree calling the elections for 23 August 2026.[4][5]
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23 August 2026
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Background
The 8th Parliament of Kazakhstan convened following the 2023 legislative elections to the lower house Mäjilis, which were called after president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dissolved the 7th Parliament as part of the final stage of the political reset of state institutions that followed the 2022 Kazakh unrest.[6][7] The elections were held under a reintroduced mixed electoral system approved in the 2022 constitutional referendum, the first such system used since 2004.[8][9] Amanat (formerly Nur Otan) won a majority of 62 seats,[10] though reduced compared to previous convocations,[11] and the new composition of the Mäjilis included independent deputies elected from single-member districts,[12] representatives of the self-declared opposition Nationwide Social Democratic Party, and first-time parliamentary entrants Auyl and Respublica, bringing in a total of six party factions.[13] From there, at the opening session of the 8th convocation, Erlan Qoşanov (Amanat) was re-elected as chairman of the Mäjilis, and the Parliament approved the reappointment of Älihan Smaiylov as prime minister of Kazakhstan.[14][15][16] During its tenure, the 8th convocation of the Parliament of Kazakhstan served as the final bicameral legislature before the transition to the unicameral Kurultai, adopting legislation on social policy, economic regulation, digitalization, and institutional reforms while overseeing the final stage of Tokayev's post-2022 reform agenda, including constitutional law amendments implementing the transition to the new parliamentary system, before concluding its work on 30 June 2026.[17][18]
Discussions about a possible further constitutional amendments and snap parliamentary election emerged in 2024;[19][20] however, in January 2025, during an interview with the newspaper Ana tili, president Tokayev publicly denied plans for any snap elections, including parliamentary ones, stating that the 8th Parliament of Kazakhstan would serve its full term and that elections would be held in accordance with the law.[21][22][23]
Despite Tokayev ruling out early elections, ongoing discussions about future constitutional reforms, including proposals to abolish the Senate, speculation persisted about snap parliamentary elections with social activist Qazbek Beisebaev noting that any changes to parliament would first require constitutional amendments or a referendum before snap election, and while the current parliament is generally loyal to the government, other political actors might seek to renew the legislature for strategic purposes.[24] In June 2025, chairman of the Senate Mäulen Äşimbaev acknowledging rumours of early parliamentary elections allegedly taking place in autumn of that year, stated that there were no grounds to expect such elections.[25][26][27]
2026 constitutional reforms
In September 2025, during his State of the Nation Address, Tokayev announced proposed parliamentary reforms, including a constitutional amendment to abolish the Senate and transform the Parliament of Kazakhstan into a unicameral legislature elected by party-list, suggesting that the change be decided through a referendum sometime in 2027.[28] The announcement was followed by six-month span with the establishment of a working group and later a constitutional commission tasked with drafting amendments.[29] During its work, the commission concluded that the scope of proposed amendments exceeded initial expectations and ultimately endorsed adopting a new constitution,[30][31] which its draft was finalized in February 2026 and subsequently submitted by Tokayev to a referendum.[32][33]
The referendum "Yes" vote campaign was organized under the National Coalition "For the People's Constitution of a Fair and Progressive Kazakhstan", bringing together pro-government political parties and public organizations in support of the draft constitution,[34] which proposed restructuring Kazakhstan's legislative system ahead of the transition to the newly unicameral Kurultai.[35][36] The referendum campaign took place in a restrictive political environment marked by reported pressure on opponents and critics of the draft constitution, censorship, limits on independent polling, and rejected legal challenges,[37][38] with social media users referring to the draft constitution as "sour cream" to avoid crackdown.[39][40] The proposal was officially approved by 87% of voters, with Tokayev issuing a decree adopting the new constitution on 17 March 2026, which entered into force on 1 July 2026.[41][42]
Under the previous constitutional framework, the 8th convocation of the Mäjilis, elected in March 2023, would have served its five-year constitutional term. Under Article 51 of the 1995 Constitution, regular elections to the Mäjilis were required to be held within the two months preceding the expiration of deputies' term,[43] meaning that absent constitutional changes the next legislative elections would have been expected in early 2028.[44][45][46] However, the constitutional reforms initiated in 2025 fundamentally altered the structure and electoral timetable of the legislature. Although Tokayev initially proposed holding a referendum on parliamentary reform in 2027, the adoption of a new constitution in 2026 and the transition to a unicameral Kurultai required the dissolution of the existing bicameral system and the organization of early elections to form the new legislature.[47]
Following the approval of the new constitution, the Parliament adopted a series of seven constitutional laws to implement the new state structure.[48][49] The foundational laws on the presidency, Kurultai, and People's Council were signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on 5 June 2026,[50][51][52] while amendments to existing constitutional laws, including changes affecting the electoral framework and political parties, were signed on 11 June 2026.[53]
Minimum wage increase proposal
In the lead-up to the 2026 elections in Kazakhstan, economic concerns such as inflation, rising utility costs, and declining real incomes became a key issue in public debate, despite continued official references to macroeconomic growth. Against this backdrop, the Kazakh government's April 2026 proposal to raise the national minimum wage from 85,000 to 150,000 tenge emerged as a prominent socio-economic pledge, with First Vice Minister of National Economy Azamat Amrin linking it to a target of bringing minimum wages closer to 50% of median income.[54] However, Minister of Labour and Social Protection Asqarbek Ertaev later clarified that the proposal remained under review, with no finalized methodology, budget decision, or implementation timeline, ruling out near-term adoption.[55]
Analysts interpreted the timing of the announcement amid preparations for the new unicameral Kurultai as carrying a clear pre-election dimension, with political scientist Daniyar Ashimbayev describing the proposal as having a "pre-election theme" and a populist character that signaled responsiveness to public concerns over living standards while functioning more as a politically salient promise than an immediate policy commitment, in a context where parliamentary elections are generally viewed as less politically destabilizing and where protest sentiment is often expected to be absorbed within pro-government parties.[56]
Party system reorganization
The Ädilet party was formed in April 2026 by political activists, public figures, business representatives, and members of the Constitutional Commission amid Kazakhstan's post-referendum political restructuring following the adoption of a new constitution.[57] The party emerged ahead of the 2026 legislative elections as a centrist, pro-presidential political force supporting the state's reform agenda.[57]
Its rapid registration, prominent leadership, and close association with the constitutional reform process prompted extensive political commentary. Analysts characterized Ädilet as part of a broader reconfiguration of Kazakhstan's party system following the constitutional reforms, with some describing it as a move toward a more competitive multi-party or quasi two-party system and suggesting that it could reshape the distribution of pro-presidential and centrist voters ahead of the elections.[58][59] Political scientist Andrei Chebotarev described Ädilet as a potential "sparring partner" to ruling Amanat party, while other observers viewed the party as an attempt to project political renewal within the existing political framework.[59][60][61][62] The significance of Ädilet increased substantially following the 26th Amanat Extraordinary Congress on 12 June 2026, at which Amanat approved its merger into Ädilet.[63] The merger ended Amanat's 27-year existence as an independent political party and transformed Ädilet into the institutional successor to the former ruling party ahead of the legislative elections.[64]
The merger coincided with wider changes across Kazakhstan's party system ahead of the elections. During June 2026, several parliamentary parties underwent leadership changes.[65] Dania Espaeva succeeded Azat Peruaşev as chair of Aq Jol,[66][67] Qairat Aituğanov replaced Serik Egizbaev as chairman of Auyl,[68][69] and Nursultan Şoqanov was elected leader of the People's Party of Kazakhstan following the resignation of Ermukhamet Ertisbaev.[70][71] Political analyst Nurbolat Nyshanbai argued that the simultaneous leadership transitions were unlikely to be coincidental, suggesting they reflected parties' adaptation to a new political period and a redefinition of their roles ahead of the Kurultai elections, while the absence of public conflicts during the changes reflected internal agreements and elite consensus within Kazakhstan's political system.[72] Other observers described the reshuffling as part of a broader renewal of political forces following the constitutional reforms and the transition to the new electoral framework.[73][74]
Election date speculation
During the constitutional reform process in January 2026, analysts including Gaziz Abishev and Aidar Alibayev suggested that approval of the transition to a unicameral parliament would likely lead to early legislative elections rather than waiting until the scheduled 2028 vote, arguing that the authorities had incentives to complete the political transition before possible economic deterioration and declining public support.[75] Opposition politician Amirjan Qosanov assessed that the constitutional referendum would be followed by parliamentary approval of the amendments by both chambers, after which elections to the unicameral Kurultai could be held within two to three months.[76]
In the referendum campaign period, Senate chairman Mäulen Äşimbaev stipulated that, if approved, the current bicameral Parliament would remain in office until 1 July 2026, after which elections to the new unicameral Kurultai would be held before 1 September 2026, when the new legislature would begin its duties.[77] Following the referendum, president Tokayev stated at a meeting with representatives of youth organizations involved in the campaign that elections to the Kurultai would be held in the summer.[78] He later confirmed in April 2026 that the vote would take place in the month of August,[79][80] a timeframe he reiterated again in early June.[81][82][83]
Political analyst Daniyar Ashimbayev stated that the constitutional transition created a compressed electoral timetable requiring elections to the Kurultai to be held between 1 August and 1 September 2026, noting media speculation surrounding possible election dates of 16 August, 23 August, and 30 August, while arguing that President Tokayev's advance announcement was intended to encourage parties to begin preparing for the campaign before the formal election decree was issued.[84] Following the Amanat party's announcement of its extraordinary congress in June 2026, he suggested that this was interpreted within broader election-date speculation under the same compressed timetable, with possible voting dates discussed as 16 or 23 August.[85]
On 30 June 2026, during an address to a joint session of Parliament, Tokayev announced that he would sign a decree calling elections to the Kurultai following the entry into force of the new Constitution, adding that the campaign should be conducted under conditions of open, honest, and fair political competition.[86][87][88]
Transition to the Kurultai
On 1 July 2026, as the new constitution entered into force, replacing Kazakhstan's bicameral Parliament with the Kurultai as the country's unicameral legislature,[89] [90] President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed Decree No. 1338 calling the first elections to the Kurultai for 23 August 2026.[91][92] The decree instructed the Central Election Commission to organize the election and directed the government and regional authorities to provide the necessary organizational, technical, and financial support.[93]
In announcing the decree, Tokayev stated that the Kurultai should preserve Kazakhstan's parliamentary traditions while strengthening institutional stability and advancing the principles of a "Just Kazakhstan".[94][95]
Electoral system
Following the adoption of a new constitution in the March 2026 referendum, the electoral framework of Kazakhstan underwent its most significant restructuring since 1995. The reforms abolished the bicameral Parliament of Kazakhstan by dissolving the upper chamber Senate and established a unicameral legislature known as the Kurultai, whose members are known as deputies.[96] The 145 deputies of the Kurultai are elected to five-year terms through a closed party-list proportional representation system from a single nationwide constituency, replacing the mixed electoral system used in the 2023 election and eliminating single-member constituencies.[97] The reforms also marked a return to the nationwide proportional representation system previously used between 2007 and 2021, for the first time since the 2021 election.[98] Political parties are required to surpass a 5% electoral threshold to obtain representation, with seats allocated through closed party lists using the quota method. Under the constitution's retained imperative mandate provisions, deputies automatically lose their seats if they resign from or are expelled by their respective political parties.
Electoral law amendments
Ahead of the 2026 legislative elections, the Parliament adopted amendments to the Constitutional Law "On Elections" and related legislation regulating online campaigning, campaign financing, and electoral transparency.[99] The amendments introduced administrative liability for online platforms that published campaign materials without the authorization of candidates or provided unequal conditions to candidates and political parties, while prohibiting financial and material support outside official election funds.[100][101][102] They also revised candidate nomination procedures, election administration, and voting rules, including provisions on reorganized election commissions, expanded access to polling stations, and safeguards allowing election results to be invalidated in cases of legal violations.[103]
During parliamentary consideration of the legislation, the Central Election Commission stated that online political endorsements, including unpaid posts by bloggers or users displaying party symbols, would require written authorization from the relevant candidate or political party, with unauthorized promotional content potentially constituting "hidden campaigning" under the Administrative Code and subject to administrative fines.[104][105] Human rights organizations and media observers criticized the proposed rules, arguing that their broad definition of online campaigning risked restricting independent political expression and online discourse ahead of the elections.[106][107] Kazakh officials maintained that the amendments were intended to strengthen transparency, regulate online campaigning, and ensure equal conditions among participants in the electoral process.[108][109]
Electoral timetable
On 1 July 2026, following the signing of a presidential decree on the holding of elections, the Central Election Commission (CEC) adopted Resolution No. 26/41 "On approval of the Calendar Plan of the main events for the preparation and conduct of the elections of deputies of the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan, scheduled for 23 August 2026".[110] The calendar plan set out the main stages of the electoral process as follows:[111][112]
- 1 July 2026: Appointment of elections
- 2–13 July 2026 (until 18:00 UTC+5): Submission of party lists
- until 18:00 on 23 July 2026: Registration of party lists
- until 11 July 2026: Announcement of the composition of territorial election commissions and their locations
- until 16 July 2026: Announcement of the composition of election commissions, as well as the boundaries of polling stations and locations of election commissions
- 23 July (18:01 UTC+5) – 22 August 2026 (00:00 UTC+5): Pre-election campaigning
- 2 August 2026: Submission of voter lists to precinct election commissions
- from 7 August 2026 – Voters' access to verify their personal data in the voter lists
- 22 August 2026 – Election silence
- 23 August 2026 – Election day
Political parties
As of 1 June 2026, eight political parties were registered in Kazakhstan, including the newly formed Ädilet party,[113][114] alongside Amanat, Auyl, Aq Jol, the People's Party of Kazakhstan, the Nationwide Social Democratic Party, Baytaq, and Respublica.[115] On 12 June, the ruling Amanat party announced its merger with Ädilet.
Justice Minister Erlan Särsembaev stated that political party registration and reorganization procedures would continue until the new constitution entered into force on 1 July 2026, after which elections to the Kurultai would be announced. He added that new parties registered before that date would be eligible to participate in the 2026 elections.[116]
Parliamentary parties
| Name | Party leader | Faction leader | Ideology | Position | 2023 election | At dissolution | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes (%) | Seats | ||||||||
| Amanat | Amanat | Erlan Qoşanov | Aidos Sarym | Kazakh nationalism | Big tent | 53.9% | 62 / 98 |
60 / 98 | |
| Auyl | Auyl | Qairat Aituğanov | Serik Egizbaev | Agrarianism | Centre-left | 10.9% | 8 / 98 |
8 / 98 | |
| Respublica | Respublica | Aidarbek Qojanazarov | National liberalism | Centre-right | 8.6% | 6 / 98 |
6 / 98 | ||
| Aq Jol | Aq Jol | Dania Espaeva | Azat Peruaşev | Liberal conservatism | Centre-right | 8.4% | 6 / 98 |
6 / 98 | |
| QHP | People's Party of Kazakhstan | Nursultan Şoqanov | Magerram Magerramov | Democratic socialism | Left-wing | 6.8% | 5 / 98 |
5 / 98 | |
| JSDP | Nationwide Social Democratic Party | Ashat Raqymjanov | Social democracy | Centre-left | 5.2% | 4 / 98 |
4 / 98 | ||
Contesting parties
The Central Election Commission (CEC) confirmed on 1 July 2026 that Ädilet, Auyl, Aq Jol, the People's Party of Kazakhstan, the Nationwide Social Democratic Party, Baytaq, and Respublica would participate in the elections, while Amanat did not contest the election following its merger into Ädilet.[117][118][119] On 13 July 2026, the nomination of candidates concluded, with the CEC receiving party lists containing a total of 546 candidates from the seven contesting political parties.[120][121]
On 23 July 2026, the CEC announced that it had registered 545 candidates for the 145 seats in the Kurultai, with all seven parties meeting the statutory quotas for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, which together comprised 43.9% of all candidates, including 172 women, 74 candidates under the age of 35, and 19 persons with disabilities, while the average candidate age was 45.4 years.[122] During the same briefing, the CEC conducted a draw, overseen by deputy chairman Muhtar Erman, to determine the order in which the seven participating political parties would appear on the 2026 legislative election ballot as follows:[123][124]
| No. on ballot | Name | Party leader | No. 1 in party list | Ideology | Position | 2023 election | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes (%) | Seats | |||||||||
| 1 | Ädilet | Ädilet | Aibek Dädebai | Almat Äbdikeşov[125] | Reformism | Big tent | New | Party list registered by the CEC on 21 July[126] | ||
| 2 | JSDP | Nationwide Social Democratic Party | Ashat Raqymjanov | Anargül Äbenova[127] | Social democracy | Centre-left | 5.2% | 4 / 98 |
Party list registered by the CEC on 16 July[128] | |
| 3 | Baytaq | Baytaq | Azamathan Ämirtai | Aigül Abdualieva | Green politics | Centre-left | 2.3% | 0 / 98 |
Party list registered by the CEC on 20 July[129] | |
| 4 | QHP | People's Party of Kazakhstan | Nursultan Şoqanov | Ğalymjan Äbdiraiymov | Democratic socialism | Left-wing | 6.8% | 5 / 98 |
Party list registered by the CEC on 20 July[130] | |
| 5 | Auyl | Auyl | Qairat Aituğanov | Qaraqat Äbden[131] | Agrarianism | Centre-left | 10.9% | 8 / 98 |
Party list registered by the CEC on 21 July[132] | |
| 6 | Aq Jol | Aq Jol | Dania Espaeva | Ermek Äbildin | Liberal conservatism | Centre-right | 8.4% | 6 / 98 |
Party list registered by the CEC on 17 July[133] | |
| 7 | Respublica | Respublica | Aidarbek Qojanazarov | Beibit Älibekov[134] | National liberalism | Centre-right | 8.6% | 6 / 98 |
Party list registered by the CEC on 16 July[135] | |
Campaign
Campaign finance
On 1 July 2026, the Central Election Commission (CEC) announced that the maximum size of political parties' election funds had been tripled under the new electoral legislation, increasing the maximum contribution from parties' own funds to 1.275 billion tenge and the ceiling for voluntary donations to 2.55 billion tenge, while maintaining that campaigns could be financed only through official election funds in order to ensure transparency and oversight of funding sources.[136]
On 15 July 2026, it was reported that political parties were required to pay an election deposit of 15 minimum wages for each candidate on their party lists, although parties that had received at least 5% of the vote in the 2023 legislative elections were exempt and those receiving between 3% and 5% paid half the standard amount, leaving only Ädilet and Baytaq required to pay the full deposit.[137]
Campaign slogans and programmes
| Party | Slogan | Pre-election programme | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ädilet | "Let's build a Just Kazakhstan together!" Kazakh: «Бірге Әділетті Қазақстан құрамыз!» Russian: «Построим справедливый Казахстан вместе!» |
For a Just Kazakhstan
| |
| Auyl | "The prosperity of the village is the prosperity of the country!" Kazakh: «Гүлденсе ауыл – гүлденеді еліміз!» Russian: «Процветание села – процветание страны!» |
Strong regions – strong center
| |
| Respublica | "My country! My Republic!" Kazakh: «Менің елім! Менің Республикам!» Russian: «Моя страна! Моя Республика!» |
Respublica: The Party of a Strong Economy and a Decent Life
| |
| Aq Jol | "Changes are inevitable!" Kazakh: «Өзгерістер қажет!» Russian: «Перемены неизбежны!» |
Changes are inevitable
| |
| People's Party of Kazakhstan | "Fewer words, more action" Kazakh: «Сөз аз, іс көп» Russian: «Меньше слов, больше дела» |
The wealth of the country is for the benefit of the people!
| |
| Nationwide Social Democratic Party | "We choose! We control! We demand!" Kazakh: «Таңдаймыз! Бақылаймыз! Талап етеміз!» Russian: «Выбираем! Контролируем! Требуем!» |
20 Milestones on the Path to Progress
| |
| Baytaq | "Clean nature. Fair economy. Civic solidarity." Kazakh: «Таза табиғат. Әділетті экономика. Азаматтық ынтымақтастық.» Russian: «Чистая природа. Справедливая экономика. Гражданская солидарность.» |
Kazakhstan is a favorable country for living!
| |
Party campaigns
Ädilet
On 3 July 2026, the Ädilet party announced its readiness to contest the Kurultai elections.[138] Party chairman Aibek Dädebai said Ädilet would contest the election with a "clear program" and a professional team, describing the vote as an important stage in implementing the new constitution and strengthening Kazakhstan's democratic institutions. He stated that the party's campaign would focus on justice, the rule of law, responsibility, patriotism, and development, while pledging to compete in an open and lawful election campaign.[139][140]
On 10 July 2026, Ädilet held its 3rd Extraordinary Congress in Astana, where delegates approved the party's election programme, amended its charter, and nominated 186 candidates for the Kurultai elections.[141][142] Dädebai described the elections as an important stage in implementing the new constitution, stating that Ädilet's mission was to translate constitutional principles of justice, the rule of law, human dignity, and responsible governance into concrete policies and reforms.[143][144] He presented the party’s program as a five-year action plan focused on improving citizens’ quality of life and strengthening cooperation between the state and society.[145] The party's platform emphasized political and institutional reforms, including strengthening democratic institutions, increasing electoral transparency, expanding citizen participation in decision-making, developing local self-government, improving budget transparency, and supporting judicial reform and civil society.[146] Its economic and social proposals included support for domestic production, the creation of one million quality jobs, expanded access to housing, improvements in education and healthcare, and the development of artificial intelligence skills among citizens.[145][147] Digitalization was presented as a central priority, with party representative Bağdat Musin calling for wider use of digital technologies to improve public services, reduce bureaucracy, increase transparency, and prevent corruption, while also expanding rural internet access and AI-related initiatives.[145][148] In regional policy, Ädilet proposed reducing dependence on central government funding, expanding the powers of local representative bodies, and allocating at least 1 billion tenge annually in each region for youth mortgage programs while supporting young entrepreneurs through grants and employment initiatives.[149][150] The approved candidate list included Ädilet representatives, public figures, business representatives, and former Amanat members, including several former Mäjilis deputies and prosecutor Aijan Aimaganova, who gained national prominence as the lead state prosecutor in the 2024 murder trial of former minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev.[151][152][153]
Aq Jol
On 10 June 2026, Aq Jol chairman Azat Peruaşev stated that the party intended to participate in the Kurultai elections and ruling out a potential merger with other political parties, adding that no such proposals had been received.[154]
On 5 July 2026, Aq Jol held its extraordinary election congress in Astana, where delegates approved the party's election programme, "Changes are Needed", and nominated 63 candidates.[155][156] The programme called for stable economic growth, fair competition, effective public administration, support for entrepreneurship, stronger parliamentarism, anti-corruption measures, technological development, and the protection of national interests.[156][157] Party chair Dania Espaeva stated that the candidate list consisted of long-serving party members and professionals from business, academia, and public service, reflecting the party's emphasis on professional legislative experience.[156][157] Delegates also highlighted Aq Jol's parliamentary record since 2023, arguing that a number of the party's proposals on entrepreneurship, taxation, digital development, and parliamentary oversight had been incorporated into legislation and government policy.[157] During the congress, party representatives responded to criticism made at the previous day's Respublica congress by defending Aq Jol's record of representing entrepreneurs and criticizing unnamed political rivals for relying on publicity rather than legislative achievements.[158][159][160]
Auyl
On 24 June 2026, during an extraordinary party congress, outgoing chairman Serik Egizbaev stated that his decision to step down from Auyl chairmanship was part of the party's "intention to fully participate in the upcoming elections under the new political system".[161][162]
At its 26th Extraordinary Congress on 6 July 2026, Auyl approved its election programme and nominated 69 candidates for the Kurultai elections.[163][164][165] The programme consisted of four sections and seven priority areas, focusing on regional development, food security, infrastructure, social policy, education and science, environmental protection, and support for traditional family values.[166][167] Campaigning under the slogan "Strong regions – strong center", the party stated that its programme was based on more than 75,000 proposals collected from across Kazakhstan through a digital platform.[167] According to First Deputy Chairman Serik Egizbaev, the party sought to campaign on specific policy commitments and highlight its parliamentary record since 2023 rather than relying on broad campaign slogans.[168]
Baytaq
On 8 July 2026, Baytaq held its 5th Extraordinary Congress in Astana, where delegates adopted the party's updated election platform, "Kazakhstan is a comfortable country for life!", approved amendments to the party charter, and nominated 51 candidates for the Kurultai elections.[169][170] The platform presented environmental protection as a central direction of state policy, linking it to economic development, healthcare, education, urban planning, and public administration, while proposing public monitoring of the party's election commitments.[171] Party chairman Azamathan Ämirtai said the new constitution marked a new stage in Kazakhstan's political development and that Baytaq would contest the elections with a platform centered on environmental protection, clean water, public health, and ESG-oriented projects, while announcing that the party's regional campaign headquarters would begin full-scale operations.[172][173]
The congress was also marked by internal disagreements, as political council member Asqar Imanliev criticized the election platform for insufficiently emphasizing environmental issues and called for a vote on re-electing party chairman Ämirtai, though the proposal was not adopted and the congress proceeded with approving the platform and candidate list.[174][175][176] On 13 July, Baytaq held a 6th Extraordinary Congress after four candidates voluntarily withdrew from the party list, reducing the number of nominees from 51 to 47 and requiring delegates to approve an updated electoral list before it was submitted to the CEC.[177][178]
JSDP
On 27 March 2026, the Nationwide Social Democratic Party (JSDP) held an assembly in Astana following the constitutional referendum, described by BES.media as a "pre-election review", where it presented its programme manifesto The White Rose of Creation and outlined policy priorities including social justice, economic redistribution, land reform, labor rights, environmental policy, and expanded social guarantees, positioning itself for the upcoming political cycle ahead of the 2026 legislative elections.[179][180]
The 25th JSDP Extraordinary Congress was held 8 July 2026 in Astana, where delegates approved the party's election programme, adopted a revised charter, renewed the political council, and approved a list of 33 candidates for the Kurultai elections. The party presented its programme, titled "20 Peaks on the Path of Progress", as a continuation of its two decades of social-democratic politics, focusing on freedom, justice, solidarity, democratization, economic reform, social protection, and public accountability.[181][182][183] JSDP chairman Ashat Raqymjanov stated that the new constitution had created a new political environment and that the party would participate in the elections by promoting reforms aimed at strengthening political competition, local self-government, judicial independence, and citizens' constitutional rights.[181][182] During the congress, the party emphasized policies including the demonopolization of the economy, anti-corruption measures, transparent public finances, protection of workers' rights, increased investment in education and healthcare, and the fair distribution of natural resource revenues.[181] The party's programme also proposed a phased transition to a four-day working week without reducing workers' incomes,[184] the redistribution of agricultural land to citizens for long-term targeted use,[185] and the restructuring of the Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund by transferring its functions to state ministries.[186] JSDP representatives also argued that digitalization should serve not only technological modernization but also greater transparency in government decision-making, public spending, and accountability.[187] The approved candidate list included party leaders and current deputies, including Raqymjanov, Nurlan Äuesbaev, Ajar Sagyndyqova, and Nauryz Sailaubai, while Raqymjanov stated that the party expected to secure at least 10% of the vote.[188] Party representatives also criticized competing parties, arguing that some political forces represented business interests rather than social-democratic principles.[189][190]
Following the submission of the JSDP's party list to the CEC, media reported that candidate Nurym Nurlybekov, who had previously faced criticism over anti-LGBT social media remarks in 2025, remained on the list.[191] Raqymjanov said the remarks did not reflect the party's position and that Nurlybekov had received a formal warning but remained a registered candidate.[191]
QHP
On 7 July 2026, the People's Party of Kazakhstan (QHP) held its 25th Extraordinary Congress in Astana, where it approved its election programme and nominated 72 candidates for the first elections to the deputies of Kurultai.[192][193][194] The congress was the first party meeting following the entry into force of the 2026 Constitution and took place shortly after Nursultan Şoqanov became party chairman following the resignation of Ermukhamet Ertisbaev.[194][195] The party's programme focused on social policy, labour rights, education, healthcare, regional development, and improving living standards, while its candidate list included representatives from business, law, education, medicine, culture, and public organizations.[192][196]
During the campaign, Şoqanov presented QHP as a party combining economic efficiency with social responsibility and rejected accusations that its platform represented simple state-funded populism.[197] He also highlighted the record of QHP's parliamentary faction during the 8th convocation, citing legislative initiatives, amendments, and government inquiries as evidence of the party's work on behalf of citizens.[192][197]
Respublica
In early May 2026, Majilis deputy and Respublica party chairman Aidarbek Qojanazarov stated that hundreds of party members had expressed interest in becoming candidates for the Kurultai, adding that party list selection would be based on clear policy agendas rather than personal ambition, and that the Respublica party aimed to maximize its parliamentary representation depending on voter support.[198]
At its 5th Extraordinary Congress on 4 July 2026, Respublica re-elected Qojanazarov as its party chairman and approved its election programme and nominated 76 candidates for the 2026 elections.[199][200][201] The programme, adopted under the slogan "Citizen's Welfare – Responsible Society – Effective State – Safe Country", emphasized support for entrepreneurship, job creation, public administration reform, education and healthcare, digitalization, strengthening legal institutions, human capital development, and public safety.[202] During the congress, deputy chairman Oljas Quspekov criticized unnamed political forces that presented themselves as defenders of business interests, arguing that their political agenda had lost relevance, with his remarks, including a comparison of such forces to a "decorative pony", interpreted as criticism of the Aq Jol party.[203][204][205] Qojanazarov stated that the party sought to promote economic modernization, support new industries, and strengthen fair competition.[202]
Pre-election debates
On 23 July 2026, the Central Election Commission (CEC) announced that pre-election debates would be held during the campaign period, with negotiations underway to organize them on the 24KZ television channel, while political parties were also permitted to finance additional debates on other broadcasters through their election funds.[206]
On 29 July 2026, following the state broadcaster Qazaqstan's announcement the previous day, representatives of the seven contesting political parties participated in a nationally televised debate organized under the theme "The Future of Kazakhstan is Human Capital", signing a Charter of Ethics committing to refrain from personal attacks before debating their policies on education, employment, social welfare, regional development, environmental protection, entrepreneurship, and technological innovation,[207] while viewers were invited to submit questions through social media and WhatsApp and speaking order was determined by random draw to ensure equal conditions for all participants.[208] Additionally, the pre-election debate was conducted entirely in the Kazakh language, marking the first nationally televised election debate in Kazakhstan to be held exclusively in Kazakh.[209] An alleged technical error occurred during the broadcast when the audience poll conducted during the debate, asking viewers to indicate which party representative they preferred, displayed incorrect figures totaling 156%; the moderator acknowledged the mistake during the live broadcast, after which corrected results were displayed.[210]
| 2026 Kazakh legislative election debates | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and time | Organiser | Location | Language | Moderator | P Present R Representative | Duration | Source | ||||||||||||
| Ädilet | Auyl | Aq Jol | QHP | Respublica | JSDP | Baytaq | |||||||||||||
| 29 July 2026 19:25 |
Qazaqstan | Almaty | Kazakh | Erqanat Köpjasar | R Bekturov |
R Egizbaev |
R Nuraldinov |
R Suñqar |
R Smolyakova |
R Sämbetbai |
R Qadyrbaeva |
03:06:37 | [211][212] | ||||||
| 5 August 2026 20:26 |
Channel Seven | Astana | Kazakh, Russian | Almas Äşim Madïna Almoldina Alfia Haidarova Ğanï Muqaşuly Oksana Peters |
R Kenzhekhanuly |
R Baimanov |
R Tastekei |
R Qusaiyn |
R Madali |
R Nasibulov |
R Baizahanov |
02:23:08 | [213] | ||||||
| Which party's representative performed best in the television debates? | |||||||||||||||||||
| Date | Organiser | Polling firm | Respondents | Ädilet | Auyl | Aq Jol | QHP | Respublica | JSDP | Baytaq | Undecided | Source | |||||||
| 29 July 2026 | Qazaqstan | Institute for Democracy | 21,334 | 67.1% | 5.4% | 9.9% | 8.2% | 4.3% | 2.2% | 2.1% | 0.8% | [214] | |||||||
| 5 August 2026 | Channel Seven | Kazakhstan Institute of Social Development | 73,628 | 45.4% | 15.6% | 8.0% | 7.0% | 12.0% | 9.7% | 1.6% | 0.7% | [215] | |||||||
Conduct
Elections in Kazakhstan are prepared and conducted by various bodies of election commissions.
Preparations
At its first meeting following the promulgation of the election decree on 1 July 2026, the Central Election Commission (CEC) approved the election calendar, adopted implementing resolutions governing party nominations, candidate registration, campaigning, election observation, and voting procedures, established the administrative framework for organizing the first Kurultai elections under the new constitution, and launched a three-stage nationwide training programme for more than 71,000 election commission members to ensure the uniform application of electoral legislation.[216]
Election funding
In May 2026, the CEC estimated that the cost of the 2026 elections could exceed 15–20 billion tenge, surpassing the expenses of previous national elections, including the 2026 constitutional referendum.[217][218] CEC Secretary Şavkat Ötemisov stated that the final budget would be determined after the announcement of the election date, with major expenditures expected to be driven by the remuneration of election commission staff and logistical costs.[219][220] Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Jumanğarin stated that the elections would be financed from the republican budget, with detailed calculations to be prepared once the official date was confirmed.[221]
In June 2026, CEC officials reported that the final cost estimate had not yet been submitted, and that the government was awaiting updated calculations before allocating funds.[222][223]
On 1 July 2026, the CEC confirmed that the 2026 elections would be financed from the government of Kazakhstan's reserve, as they had not been included in the 2026 state budget, with approximately 75% of total expenditures allocated to the remuneration of election commission members, while the remainder would cover printing, logistics, transportation, and information support costs, and that the final budget would be approved by decision of the cabinet following submission of consolidated estimates by the CEC.[224][225][226]
On 9 July 2026, the government allocated 34.3 billion tenge from its reserve to finance the elections, a decision announced by the CEC on 14 July.[227][228] According to CEC member Mikhail Bortnik, about 8.5 billion tenge was allocated for the work of election commissions, while the funding also covered election administration in Kazakhstan and abroad, election materials, logistics, and overseas voting, for which 124.5 million tenge was allocated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[228][229][230]
Electronic voting
CEC secretary Şavkat Ötemisov stated that electronic voting was not under active consideration for the 2026 election, although Kazakhstan continued to study international experience with electronic voting systems. Ötemisov cited cybersecurity risks, including concerns over external interference and cyberattacks against election infrastructure, as well as the high projected costs of implementing a secure electronic voting system.[231] At the same time, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Jaslan Mädiev stated that secure electronic voting systems could be developed in Kazakhstan if formally required, noting that technical solutions could be designed to meet cybersecurity, speed, and usability requirements.[232]
Media and information environment
On 9 July 2026, First Vice Minister of Culture and Information Qanat Ysqaqov announced that the ministry would monitor more than 20,000 websites and online platforms during the election campaign, compared with about 1,000 media outlets in previous elections. He stated that the expansion reflected the growth of social media and online disinformation and argued that ensuring citizens' access to reliable information was necessary for the public legitimacy of the elections.[233]
On 23 July 2026, Ysqaqov stated that media outlets could conduct election-related blitz polls, provided they were not presented as sociological surveys or accompanied by unauthorized publication of samples and final results, while the CEC clarified that formal public opinion polls could only be conducted by organizations registered with the commission under electoral law.[234] The Center for Combating Disinformation also warned of increased election-related disinformation, reporting fake social media pages impersonating a political party, coordinated bot activity targeting official campaign accounts, and the potential use of artificial intelligence to generate misleading election content, while urging voters to verify information before sharing it.[235]
Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Baqtiiar Muhametqaliev stated that digital platforms operating in Kazakhstan, including TikTok and YouTube, were required to comply with national legislation governing AI-generated content, including mandatory labeling requirements, and warned that the growing use of artificial intelligence to create misinformation posed an increasing challenge during the election period.[236][237]
The Center for Combating Disinformation of the Central Communications Service subsequently warned of a new wave of election-related disinformation on social media, reporting the circulation of fake statements, press releases, photographs, and videos using the identities of heads of state bodies and representatives of the Central Election Commission, while urging voters to rely on the CEC's official resources and not share unverified content and noting that the Prosecutor General's Office was investigating cases involving the dissemination of false information.[238][239]
Voter registration
By 1 July and 1 January every year, information on voters and the boundaries of polling stations are submitted by the local executive bodies (akimats) in electronic form to their territorial election commissions, which ensure the verification and submission of information to the higher election commissions.[240] As of 1 July 2026, the CEC reported that 12,561,644 citizens were registered in the voter list,[241][242] representing an increase of 99,848 voters since the 2026 referendum.[243] By 2 August 2026, the number of registered voters had increased to 12,605,788, with the largest voter populations recorded in Almaty (1,329,251), Turkistan Region (more than one million), Astana (1,014,817), Karaganda Region (758,489), Jambyl Region (730,236), and Shymkent (713,491), while Ulytau Region had the smallest electorate, with 138,362 registered voters.[244][245][246]
Voter registration and related procedures followed the deadlines set by the Chapter 4 of the Constitutional Law "On the Republican Referendum" and the associated electoral regulations. Akimats are responsible for compiling the voter lists at the place of residence, updating them to reflect recent migration or submitted applications, and submitting them to the precinct and territorial referendum commissions.[247] Voters wishing to vote at a polling station other than their place of permanent registration were required to submit a written application thirty days before election day (by 24 July 2026) to their local äkimat to be temporarily included in another polling station's voter list.[247] Twenty days before election day (3 August), akimats were required to finalize the voter lists, electronically transfer them to the relevant precinct election commissions, and freeze further routine amendments except those permitted by law.[247] Fifteen days before election day (8 August), the voter lists were made available for public inspection at polling stations, allowing voters to verify their registration and request corrections or additions to inaccurate or incomplete information before election day.[248] Voters who expected to be away from their registered polling station on 23 August could obtain an absentee voting certificate from their precinct election commission between the submission of voter lists for review and election day, enabling them to vote at another polling station within Kazakhstan, provided they had not already been included in another voter list.[249]
Accessibility
On 14 July 2026, the CEC announced that polling stations would provide barrier-free access for voters with disabilities, together with Braille ballot templates, audio instructions, and sign language interpretation, while local authorities were instructed to provide accessible transportation and assess polling station accessibility in cooperation with disability organizations.[250][251][252] CEC chairman Nurlan Äbdirov called on political parties to ensure that campaign materials and public events were accessible to voters with disabilities, including by providing sign language interpretation, accessible election programmes, and barrier-free access to campaign venues.[253][254][255]
Observation
Senate chairman Mäulen Äşimbaev, during the council meeting of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly (IPA CIS) on 21 May, invited observers from the IPA CIS to observe the elections and expressed hope for their participation.[256]
On 9 July 2026, the Kazakh government invited the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly to observe the Kurultai elections, with Foreign Minister Ermek Köşerbaev stating that the vote would be conducted in accordance with national legislation and international standards.[257]
OSCE
On 18 May 2026, the Central Election Commission (CEC) met with a delegation of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Representatives to discuss constitutional and electoral reforms, measures to strengthen electoral infrastructure and rights protections, concerns over external interference, and future cooperation, with CEC deputy chairman Muqtar Erman announcing that an official invitation would be sent to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to observe the upcoming Kurultai elections.[258]
On 10 July 2026, following an invitation from the Kazakh authorities, the ODIHR opened an election observation mission led by ambassador Vincent Piket, comprising a 12-member core team, with 22 long-term observers scheduled to deploy from 18 July and up to 300 short-term observers requested to observe election day alongside delegations from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.[259] On the same day, the mission met with the CEC, where both sides discussed preparations for the elections, the new electoral system, the work of election commissions, voter information, and the role of domestic and international observers, while the CEC stated it would provide the mission with the conditions necessary to carry out its work in accordance with Kazakhstan's legislation and international obligations.[260]
Opinion polls
As of 22 July 2026, the Central Election Commission had received notifications from six legal entities intending to conduct election-related public opinion polls — Institute of Eurasian Integration, DATAmetrics, Institute for Public Policy, Institute for Comprehensive Social Research–Astana (SOCIS-A), Kazakhstan Institute of Social Development, and Research Association "Institute of Democracy" — using methods including face-to-face, telephone and internet surveys, focus groups, expert surveys, and exit polls.[261]
| Polling firm | Link | Fieldwork date | Sample size | Margin of error |
Polling method | Ädilet | Auyl | Aq Jol | QHP | Respublica | JSDP | Baytaq | Against all | Undecided | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Institute | [262] | 7–27 July 2026 | 8,000 | ± 1.2 | Face-to-Face | 67.3 | 6.2 | 4.8 | 3.9 | 5.5 | 4.3 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 5.3 | 61.1 |
| Eurasian Integration Institute | [263][264] | 16–26 July 2026 | 4,000 | ± 1.5 | Face-to-Face | 65.1 | 5.9 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 8.4 | 59.2 |
| Kazakhstan Institute of Social Development | [265] | 8–20 July 2026 | 1,200 | ± 2.8 | Telephone | 64.8 | 5.4 | 4.7 | 3.1 | 4.8 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 10.9 | 59.4 |
| Eurasian Integration Institute | [266][267] | 3–13 July 2026 | 1,640 | ± 1.2 | Face-to-Face | 61.7 | 5.1 | 4.1 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 14.2 | 56.6 |
| DATAMetrics | [268] | 13 June–2 July 2026 | 8,000 | ± 2.8 | Face-to-Face | 54.2 | 7.3 | 4.6 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 22.6 | 46.9 |
| 2023 election | 19 March 2023 | 6,366,441 | — | — | 53.9[a] | 10.9 | 8.4 | 6.8 | 8.6 | 5.2 | 2.3 | 3.9 | — | 43 | |