Kazakhstan announces timing of elections to the Kurultai

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has said that elections to the Kurultai will be held in August this year. He made the announcement today, April 10, during a ceremony honoring scientists.

“As head of state, I consider it very important to inform the public in advance about events of major significance for our country. Therefore, once the Constitution enters into force, I will sign a decree calling elections to the unicameral Kurultai. The elections will be held in August this year,” he said. The new Constitution was approved in a national referendum on March 15, 2026, and is set to enter into force on July 1, 2026.

The president stressed that he was announcing this in advance so that political parties would have a clear timetable and sufficient time — about five months — to prepare thoroughly for the election campaign.

“Elections to the Kurultai will mark the beginning of a large-scale restructuring of Kazakhstan’s entire political system. At the same time, it is extremely important that the political and economic reforms we are carrying out be closely linked with positive changes in public mentality,” Tokayev said.

It is worth noting that Tokayev had earlier said that the unicameral parliament envisaged under the new Constitution would be called the Kurultai. Under the new Constitution, the Kurultai will adopt constitutional and other laws, call elections, decide issues of war and peace, and exercise other powers. It will consist of 145 deputies.

On March 15 this year, Kazakhstan held a referendum, the results of which approved the new Basic Law.