International experts on Kazakhstan’s Qurultay results: Reforms and challenges ahead
International observers and experts have highlighted the significance of Kazakhstan’s first elections to the new unicameral Qurultay, stressing that the real test of the political reforms will come with the new parliament’s work and its ability to strengthen accountability, representation and public trust, Qazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
Glenn Agung Hole, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, Economics and Management at the University of South-Eastern Norway, said the focus should now shift from the election itself to what follows.
“The new parliament structure should not be judged only by how it looks on paper. The real test is how it works in practice. Will it improve representation? Will it strengthen accountability? Will different interests be heard? Will decisions become more transparent and predictable?” he said.
Hole linked the success of Kazakhstan’s political reforms to the country’s broader economic and geopolitical development. He said strong institutions are essential for attracting long-term investment and developing areas such as AI, energy, infrastructure and education.
Gevorg Melikyan, head of the Armenian Institute for Resilience and Public Administration, said the election slogan, “Vote for Renewal,” reflected Kazakhstan’s efforts to improve its governance and institutional mechanisms.
He described the reforms as part of a broader transformation that requires significant resources, commitment and time.
Melikyan also noted the high voter turnout, saying it reflected strong public expectations and hopes for further development.
“People have those expectations, those hopes, and I just wish them to fulfil all those expectations through new systems, through new initiatives,” he said.
Andrzej Kazimierski, editor-in-chief of KontrolerINFO, said the voter turnout reflected Kazakhstan’s democratic development, pointing to the reported turnout of around 75%.
He compared the participation rate with European results and said his observations at polling stations showed that people were taking part in the election because they wanted to express their choice.
Kazimierski said voters he spoke to were primarily concerned with improving their quality of life and seeing further progress in the country.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that an international observer mission from the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) said Kazakhstan’s elections to the Qurultay were conducted ‘openly and transparently.’