ASTANA – Forty-one out of 42 Kazakh Senators present during a Feb. 19 session voted to call on President Nursultan Nazarbayev to support the initiative of the council of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan to hold an early presidential election. The vote follows a similar measure approved the day before by the Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament).
“The Senate of Parliament of Kazakhstan fully supports the initiative of the council of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan to hold an early presidential election. The initiative found its support in the eyes of people and received positive feedback from society. In conditions of growing global tension, emerging conflict situations and crisis in the global economy, it is vital to ensure political stability and create favourable conditions for successful implementation of the long-term Kazakhstan2050Development Strategy, the Mangilik El (Eternal Nation) concept and Nurly Zholprogramme in order tojointhe world’s most developed countries,” said Chairman of the Senate Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the Feb. 19 session.
“During the years of independence, Nursultan Nazarbayev has created a successful country with a developed market economy andundisputed position in the international community. Kazakhstan is entering a new phase in its development. In this regard stability is very important,” he added.
Later in the day, Tokayev, acting in accordance with Article 72 of the Constitution asked the Constitutional Council to provide an official interpretation of paragraph 3.1 of Article 41 of the Constitution, which regulates the appointment of early election of President of Kazakhstan.
Under Kazakhstan’s constitution, an early presidential election can be called by the president and is to be held within two months of such a decision. President Nazarbayev’s office has not yet reacted to the parliament’s resolutions.
The previous presidential election took place in April 2011, resulting in Nazarbayev’s winning a five-year term with 95.5 percent of the vote.
