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.