Kazakhstan Tests Its New Political System at the Ballot Box

Kazakhstan votes August 23, 2026 for all 145 seats of the Kurultai — its new single-chamber legislature, replacing the old two-chamber parliament under a constitution adopted March 2026. Seven parties compete, with a 5 percent vote threshold to win seats. The election is the first test of President Tokayev's overhaul, which also resets his term eligibility despite a nominal one-term limit.