Kazakhstan
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections
Background
Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
10.01.2021
Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
98
Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal
Candidates
Total number of candidates
Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
312
Number of male candidates
Number of male candidates
222
Number of female candidates
Number of female candidates
90
Percentage of women candidates
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
28.85%
Number of parties contesting the election
This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
5
Voter turnout
Registration
Number of people registered to vote
11,915,903
Votes
Number of people who actually voted
7,241,562
Voter turnout
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
60.77%
Results
About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
The 2021 elections were the first to be held under President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who succeeded President Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2019. Mr. Nazarbayev had led the country since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. His Nur Otan party remained the largest force in the 107-member House of Representatives (see note 1), with 76 seats (down from 84 in 2017). Two other parties also entered the House of Representatives: the Democratic Party of Kazakhstan (led by Mr. Azat Peruashev) and the People's Party of Kazakhstan (led by Mr. Aikyn Konurov). Both parties reportedly have close ties with Nur Otan.
On 15 January, the newly elected House of Representatives held its first session. It re-elected Mr. Nurlan Nigmatulin as its Speaker after the former President nominated him for the post at a Nur Otan party meeting. The new legislature comprised 29 women (see note 2), including former Senate President Dariga Nazarbayeva (Nur Otan), the eldest daughter of former President Nazarbayev.
The 2021 elections were held amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2020, the All-National Social Democratic Party (OSDP, led by Mr. Askhat Rakhimzhanov) announced that it was boycotting the elections. OSDP is the country’s sole officially registered party that claims to be the opposition. Turnout dropped from 77.12 per cent of 9 million voters in 2017 to 60.77 per cent of nearly 12 million registered voters in 2021.
Note 1:
In addition to 98 directly elected members, 9 members are indirectly elected with the consent of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, a body comprising delegates from regional assemblies of the people that represent various ethnic groups in Kazakhstan.
Note 2:
On 25 May 2020, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed amendments to the Constitutional Law, and the law on political parties. Political parties are now required to ensure that the number of women and people under the age of 29 jointly constitute at least 30 per cent of candidates in their party lists.
On 15 January, the newly elected House of Representatives held its first session. It re-elected Mr. Nurlan Nigmatulin as its Speaker after the former President nominated him for the post at a Nur Otan party meeting. The new legislature comprised 29 women (see note 2), including former Senate President Dariga Nazarbayeva (Nur Otan), the eldest daughter of former President Nazarbayev.
The 2021 elections were held amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2020, the All-National Social Democratic Party (OSDP, led by Mr. Askhat Rakhimzhanov) announced that it was boycotting the elections. OSDP is the country’s sole officially registered party that claims to be the opposition. Turnout dropped from 77.12 per cent of 9 million voters in 2017 to 60.77 per cent of nearly 12 million registered voters in 2021.
Note 1:
In addition to 98 directly elected members, 9 members are indirectly elected with the consent of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, a body comprising delegates from regional assemblies of the people that represent various ethnic groups in Kazakhstan.
Note 2:
On 25 May 2020, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed amendments to the Constitutional Law, and the law on political parties. Political parties are now required to ensure that the number of women and people under the age of 29 jointly constitute at least 30 per cent of candidates in their party lists.
Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
3
Percentage of parties winning seats
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
60%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
77.55%
Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
No
Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group | Total |
---|---|
"Nur Otan" party | 76 |
Democratic Party of Kazakhstan (Ak Zhol) | 12 |
People's Party of Kazakhstan | 10 |
Assembly of People of Kazakhstan | 9 |
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
78
Number of women elected
29
Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
29.59%
Other notes
Note on the timing of election:
The outgoing legislature held its first session on 25 March 2016 and its five-year term was due to expire in March 2021. Article 51.1 of the Constitution stipulates that regular elections of deputies to the Mazhilis [House of Representatives] are to be held no later than two months before the expiry of the term of the parliament currently in session. The 2021 elections were considered to be held upon normal expiry.
Note on the number of parties winning seats:
The number of parties winning seats excludes the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, which selects nine members to sit in the House of Representatives.
The outgoing legislature held its first session on 25 March 2016 and its five-year term was due to expire in March 2021. Article 51.1 of the Constitution stipulates that regular elections of deputies to the Mazhilis [House of Representatives] are to be held no later than two months before the expiry of the term of the parliament currently in session. The 2021 elections were considered to be held upon normal expiry.
Note on the number of parties winning seats:
The number of parties winning seats excludes the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, which selects nine members to sit in the House of Representatives.
Sources
House of Representatives (20.01.2021, 22.01.2021)
https://www.election.gov.kz
BBC Monitoring
https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/7/0/470847.pdf
https://astanatimes.com/
https://www.euronews.com/
https://www.rferl.org/
https://thediplomat.com
https://www.aljazeera.com
https://www.aa.com.tr/en
https://www.legislationline.org
https://www.election.gov.kz
BBC Monitoring
https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/7/0/470847.pdf
https://astanatimes.com/
https://www.euronews.com/
https://www.rferl.org/
https://thediplomat.com
https://www.aljazeera.com
https://www.aa.com.tr/en
https://www.legislationline.org
Women Directly Elected
29
New legislature
Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
78
Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
29
Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
15.01.2021
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature
First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Nurlan
Nigmatulin
(Male)
Date of election
15.01.2021