TURKPA IEOM held press conferences in the cities of Astana and Almaty

On 24 August 2026, the TURKPA International Election Observation Mission composed of the members of parliament from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye, members of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan, TURKPA International Secretariat staff, parliamentary staff from Türkiye and a representative of an NGO, held press conferences in the cities of Astana and Almaty, and presented the statement on the preliminary outcomes of its observation of the elections to the Kurultai in the Republic of Kazakhstan of 23 August 2026.

The statement focused on the main aspects of the electoral process, including legal framework, election administration, voter and candidate registration, campaign and election observation.

The Mission noted that the parliamentary elections of 23 August 2026 were the first parliamentary elections held under the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and constitute the formation of an entirely new constitutional institution, while the previous bicameral parliament, consisting of the Senate and the Mazhilis, ceased to exist from 1 July 2026 in accordance with the new Constitution, which replaced it with the unicameral Kurultai.

The statement reflected the latest amendments to the electoral legislation that included, among others, the introduction of a proportional electoral system for parliamentary elections removing the majoritarian component, and of a new eligibility criterion for members of election commissions, certain amendments to campaign rules and increase of ceiling for electoral fund.

According to the statement, the elections were conducted in a generally peaceful and orderly atmosphere. The Mission underlined the significance of the elections in constitutional and political development of Kazakhstan as the first parliamentary elections conducted under the new constitutional framework of the country.

The Mission commended the efforts undertaken by election administration bodies in preparations for and administering the elections, including the activities on training of the participants of the electoral process and raising public awareness on the process. The Mission noted that the voting process was conducted in an orderly manner in the polling stations observed. Voters were able to cast their ballots freely and without interference. The secrecy of the vote and voting procedures were respected in the polling stations observed.

The Mission positively assessed the measures taken to facilitate the participation of voters with disabilities in the electoral process.

The Mission concluded that the elections to the Kurultai in the Republic of Kazakhstan of 23 August 2026 were held in compliance with the national legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and international election standards.

The Mission conducted its short-term observation in the cities of Astana and Almaty of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Mission was composed of the members of parliament — Mr. Osman Mesten (from Türkiye, in the capacity of Head of Mission), Ms. Gunay Afandiyeva, Mr. Hikmat Mammadov (both from Azerbaijan), Mr. Ulukbek Karybek Uulu, Mr. Azamat Isirailov (both from Kyrgyzstan), Mr. Mahmut Özer, Mr. Kadim Durmaz (both from Türkiye), members of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ms. Naila Asgarova and Ms. Sevinj Abdullayeva, Deputy Secretary General of TURKPA Mr. Muhammet Alper Hayali, Acting Deputy Secretary General of TURKPA Mr. Bektur Bazakechov, Secretaries of the TURKPA Commissions Ms. Aynura Abutalibova, Mr. Bauyrzhan Datkayev and Mr. Kadir Yaman, Acting Secretary of Commission of TURKPA Mr. Mirlan Usenkanov, Legal Officer of the TURKPA International Secretariat Mr. Azar Mammadov, Secretaries of Delegation, staff members of the Department of Foreign Relations and Protocol of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Mr. Kürşad Melih Sarıarslan and Mr. Yunus Emre Ünal, and Director of the Center for Studies of the South Caucasus (CSSC - NGO) Mr. Farhad Mammadov.