ASTANA, Kazakhstan, August 23. Kazakhstan is
actively using social media to encourage young people to
participate in elections, Head of the CIS Observer Mission Igor
Petrishenko told journalists, Trend’s special correspondent reports from Astana.


According to Petrishenko, communication with young people is
conducted not through general meetings or rallies, but via social
media platforms where young people are active.


“Specific means of communication have been selected for target
audiences that are potential election participants. Here, they have
identified precisely the form of engagement that is acceptable and
provides maximum outreach,” he said.


Petrishenko also highlighted the opportunity to vote for
citizens working on a rotational basis and at enterprises with
continuous production cycles.


The Head of the CIS Observer Mission also noted the use of
digital solutions to work with voter lists and verify voter data
directly at polling stations.


According to him, the introduction of advanced technologies and
standardized nationwide campaigning demonstrates a high level of
organizational preparation for the elections.


Elections to the Kurultai, Kazakhstan’s new unicameral
parliament established under the Constitution that came into force
on July 1, 2026, began today.







The Kurultai will consist of 145 deputies elected for a
five-year term. The elections are being held under a proportional
representation system, with deputies elected from party lists in a
single nationwide electoral district.


According to the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan,
12,605,788 voters have been included in the electoral lists. A
total of 10,423 polling stations have been prepared, including 79
polling stations in 61 countries abroad.


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


International experts are monitoring the voting process. A total
of 777 international observers from 42 countries have been
registered. Representatives of 13 international organizations are
also participating in observation missions.


The Kurultai will replace Kazakhstan’s former bicameral
Parliament, which consisted of the Mazhilis and the Senate.


As of 16:00, voter turnout in Kazakhstan’s Kurultai elections
stood at 65.37%.