“It is too early to speculate about that“ - Tokayev on participation in the next presidential election
Tengrinews.kz — Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev answered a question about whether he plans to run in a possible presidential election. According to him, it is too early to discuss this.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev cast his vote in Kazakhstan’s Kurultai parliamentary election and then held a briefing for media representatives.
“President Tokayev, the Constitutional Court recently published a clarification stating that you have the right to be elected President again. This issue has generated considerable public discussion. Do you intend to exercise your right to run in the 2029 presidential election? And will it be in 2029, or could there be an early presidential election?” asked Tamara Vaal of Vlast.
The Head of State noted that the Constitutional Court had made such a decision.
“It is lawful, of course, and I legally have the right to seek re-election. But as for the upcoming election or, as you put it, whether I will run or not and in what year, it is premature to speculate about that. As I have already said, we have a great many tasks to accomplish for our country and, in effect, need to turn all of Kazakhstan into a major construction site, primarily for social facilities for citizens,” he replied.
The President also said he was prepared to use the National Fund for these purposes.
“Why should we keep money in securities abroad when it can be used for the benefit of the people? I am against sitting on this money like a dog in the manger. It should serve the people, our citizens. Naturally, the global situation requires analysis and attention. You know that situation very well — it is difficult. We are, so to speak, literally walking along the edge of a cliff, and yet we have managed to maintain peaceful conditions at home, which has allowed us to develop. Economic growth is evident; it is objective and confirmed by the main international financial institutions. So let us meet again. Perhaps next year I will be able to give you a more specific answer,” Tokayev said.
Kazakhstan elects new parliament
On August 23, Kazakhstan is holding elections to the unicameral Parliament — the Kurultai. These are the country’s tenth parliamentary elections since 1991.
On July 1, 2026, the new Constitution, adopted in a nationwide referendum on March 15, entered into force. After that, the Mazhilis and Senate ceased operating and their deputies were dismissed.
Kazakhstan will now have a new legislative body — the Kurultai — in place of the bicameral Parliament.
It will consist of 145 deputies, elected for five-year terms. Seven parties are competing for seats in the Kurultai: Adilet, Auyl, Ak Zhol, the Nationwide Social Democratic Party, Baitak, the People’s Party of Kazakhstan and Respublica. The ballot also includes a “None of the Above” option.
The elected deputies will choose the chair of the Kurultai and three deputy chairs by majority vote.
All citizens of Kazakhstan who are 18 or older on election day have the right to vote.
On Sunday, August 23, 107 polling stations in Kazakhstan opened at 6:00 a.m., while the rest began operating at 7:00 a.m. Voting will continue until 8:00 p.m. A total of 10,423 polling stations are open across the country, with more than 12.6 million registered voters.