BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 18. A total of 777
international observers have been accredited by the Central
Election Commission (CEC) of Kazakhstan to monitor the upcoming
elections to the Kurultai, scheduled for August 23.


According to the commission, the accredited representatives
cover 42 foreign states and 13 international organizations. The
observer corps includes 138 members of parliament representing 41
countries.


In addition, Central Election Commission member Azamat
Aimanakumov said at a commission meeting today that voting will be
held at 10,423 polling stations, including 79 polling stations at
Kazakhstan's diplomatic missions in 61 foreign countries.


Voting will begin at 7:00 a.m. and continue until 8:00 p.m.
However, at some polling stations, including those located in
military units, continuously operating facilities, shift-work
settlements, recreation centers, sanatoriums and hospitals, the
precinct election commission may declare voting completed at any
time if all voters included in the voter list have cast their
ballots.


The chairperson of the respective precinct election commission
regulates the number of voters present in the polling station at
any given time and is responsible for maintaining order at the
polling station.


On July 1, 2026, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
signed a decree setting August 23, 2026, as the date for elections
to the Kurultai, the country's unicameral parliament.







Previously, Kazakhstan's legislative branch was represented by a
bicameral Parliament consisting of the Senate, the upper chamber,
and the Mazhilis, the lower chamber. Under the new Constitution,
which entered into force on July 1, 2026, Kazakhstan's
parliamentary system now provides for a unicameral Kurultai.


The Kurultai is the country's highest representative body
exercising legislative power.


The Kurultai will comprise 145 deputies elected for five-year
terms from party lists in a single nationwide electoral district
through universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot.


Seven political parties are participating in the elections:
Adilet, the Nationwide Social Democratic Party, the Baytaq Green
Party of Kazakhstan, the People's Party of Kazakhstan, Auyl, the Ak
Zhol Democratic Party of Kazakhstan, and Respublica.