Astana, November 21, 2022 – Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has won the presidential election in Kazakhstan after receiving 81,31 % of the vote. This was announced by the Central Election Commission (CEC) today after the votes were counted. According to the preliminary results, other candidates received votes as follows: Zhiguli Dairabayev – 3,42 %, Karakat Abden – 2,60 %, Meiram Kazhyken – 2,53 %, Nurlan Auesbayev – 2,22 %, Saltanat Tursynbekova – 2,12 %, against all – 5,8 %. This was the seventh presidential election in Kazakhstan since the country’s independence in 1991.
According to the CEC, 8 300 046 citizens cast their ballot, a turnout of 69.44%. Voting took place at 10,101 polling stations across the country, including 68 polling stations at 53 diplomatic missions of Kazakhstan around the world.
The election was monitored by 641 observers from international organisations and foreign states. Commenting on the election process, foreign observers noted the high organisational level of the election. No violations in the conduct of the election were reported by the observers. The election was also covered by 254 foreign journalists who received accreditation.
Speaking yesterday after casting his ballot, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that if elected, “the government will remain in office, but point-by-point changes in the composition of the government and other agencies will of course take place.” He also noted that he would announce the date of parliamentary elections at the end of the year.
In line with recent constitutional changes, President Tokayev will serve a 7-year term without the right to re-election. Answering a question yesterday from a journalist on whether seven years would be enough to fulfil all the promises to the people, Tokayev said: “I believe that seven years will be enough, because this is a long time in the life of any person. The most important thing is that there will be no monopoly on power in our country.”
Factsheet on the results of the presidential election in Kazakhstan
Overview
Early presidential election was held in Kazakhstan on November 20, 2022. Six candidates participated in the election, including incumbent President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
This was the seventh presidential election in Kazakhstan since the country’s independence in 1991. A presidential vote was originally due in 2024 and parliamentary elections in 2025. But in September this year, Tokayev called for early presidential and parliamentary elections, stating that a new mandate was needed to maintain the momentum of reforms following a June referendum.
In line with recent constitutional changes, the elected head of state will serve a 7-year term without the right to re-election.
Results of the election
According to the preliminary results of the Central Election Commission (CEC) on November 21, candidates received votes as follows:
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Kassym-Jomart-Tokayev (People’s Coalition) – 81.31%
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Zhiguli Dairabayev (Auyl Party) – 3.42%
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Karakat Abden (National Alliance of Professional Social Workers) – 2.60%
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Meiram Kazhyken (Amanat Commonwealth of Trade Unions) – 2.53%
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Nurlan Auesbayev (National Social Democratic Party) – 2.22%
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Saltanat Tursynbekova (Qazaq Analary – Dasturge Zhol public association) – 2.12%
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“Against all” – 5.8%
Exit polls by three other organisations (“Open Society International Institute for Regional Studies”, “Amanat Party Public Policy Institute” and “the Institute of Complex Social Research”) showed similar results.
Voter turnout
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According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), 8 300 046 citizens casted their ballot, a voter turnout of 44%. 11,953,465 voters were registered to vote.
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Highest voter turnout was recorded in the Zhetisu region at 42%, while lowest turnout was recorded in Almaty at 28.72%.
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The voter turnout abroad was 88,47% with 11,360 people casting their vote.
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Voting took place at 10,101 polling stations across the country, including 68 polling stations at 53 diplomatic missions of Kazakhstan around the world.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s comments on the election
Following the exit poll results, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated the following:
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“The election was held in accordance with the law and fairly.”
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“Candidates freely visited the regions, met with voters, and campaigned. There were no restrictions on anyone. Each voter was given freedom of choice. Therefore, this campaign was fair and open.”
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“The authorities will improve the well-being of citizens. To realize all these goals, we need unity.”
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s comments after casting his ballot
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke to the media after casting his ballot. He covered the following topics:
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On the election, Tokayev said: “Today is a very important, historic day. We are voting for a bright future of our country.”
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On changes to the government if elected: “The government will remain in office, but point-by-point changes in the composition of the government and other agencies will of course take place.”
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On parliamentary elections: “I will announce the date of parliamentary elections at the end of the year.”
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On new political parties: “New parties will receive registration, this process is underway. We cannot artificially register parties, violating the law. Of course, we are creating favourable conditions. I believe that before the start of the parliamentary elections, several parties will be able to fulfil the proper conditions and get registered. I think it’s in our best interest.”
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On whether seven years would be enough to fulfil all the promises to the people: “I believe that seven years will be enough, because this is a long time in the life of any person. The most important thing is that there will be no monopoly on power in our country.”
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On Kazakhstan’s foreign policy: “Kazakhstan must conduct a multi-vector foreign policy. I have said many times that Kazakhstan should be committed to the United Nations Charter and pursue a peaceful foreign policy.”
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About the return of illegally exported money: “The systematic work of the state will continue. A special commission has been created headed by the Prosecutor General. I personally supervise the work of this commission. I believe that over time we must adopt a law on the return of illegally exported capital from our country.”
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Media press conference: “If I am elected, a big press conference should be held at the end of the year or early next year.”
International observers
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641 observers from international organisations and foreign states were accredited by the Central Election Commission, including the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
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In addition, a total of 254 foreign journalists were accredited to cover the election.
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Observers from international organisations and foreign states noted the high organisational level of the election.
