ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Kurultai election campaign entered its final stretch, with nationally televised debates dominating the campaign. The debates offered voters an opportunity to compare the platforms of the seven competing political parties.
Team TV debates of representatives of seven parties ruuning to Kurultai, on Jibek Joly TV channel on Aug.12. Photo credit: Jibek Joly
The campaign featured the first-ever team debates involving representatives of all seven parties, broadcast on the Jibek Joly television channel. The week also included a series of one-on-one debates between individual parties.
The debates marked the only occasion during the campaign when parties appeared as full teams rather than individual candidates. The format tested each party’s ability to present a unified position while responding to questions from opponents and viewers. The public could also vote in real time through QR-code polling.
Political observers said the debates signaled the gradual emergence of a more interactive political culture in Kazakhstan, where candidates are expected not only to present policy proposals but also to defend them under public scrutiny.
That growing emphasis on policy differences was also reflected at an Aug. 14 meeting of the Sarap Expert Club in Astana. Experts said voters are increasingly looking beyond broad campaign promises and focusing instead on how parties propose to address issues such as healthcare, education and social protection, including how their policies would be financed and measured.
Rule of law takes center stage
The main theme of the team debate was law and order, focusing on public safety, judicial reform, equality before the law and public trust in state institutions.
The discussion drew public attention as voters looked beyond campaign slogans for concrete proposals to strengthen the country’s legal system.
“The third round of the election debates was particularly intense. Law and order is a topic that concerns everyone. Kazakhstan has accumulated extensive experience in legal reform, and that process continues to evolve. Much has been achieved, but there is always room for improvement,” Kazakh political scientist and historian Daniyar Ashimbayev wrote on his Telegram channel.
The debate also tested the parties’ ability to move beyond technical proposals and discuss broader values shaping the country’s political and legal system.
The televised debate consisted of four rounds.
Representatives explained why voters should support their parties before evaluating their rivals’ election platforms. They then answered live questions from viewers and concluded by making one specific campaign pledge they committed to fulfilling if elected.
The exchanges were often confrontational, with parties challenging each other’s proposals while defending their own policy priorities.
Among political commentators, Ashimbayev singled out the performance of the Adilet Party, represented by prosecutor Aizhan Aimaganova and lawyer Madi Myrzagarayev, chairman of the National Bar Association.
Madi Myrzagarayev, chairman of the Republican Bar Association and prosecutor Aizhan Aimaganova represented Adilet Party. Photo credit: Jibek Joly
During the debate, Aimaganova stressed that the rule of law rests on three principles: an independent judiciary and law enforcement system, an open and accountable government, and effective protection of citizens.
“The law must apply equally to everyone,” she said, adding that the state should act proactively rather than simply respond to violations.
Ashimbayev described the pair as a “surprisingly effective tandem of experienced legal practitioners.”
Among the party’s proposals, Ashimbayev highlighted measures to reduce crime through better urban infrastructure, expanded digital services for law enforcement agencies and stronger institutions to protect citizens’ rights. He also pointed to the proposal to establish a unified forecasting and analytical center to identify emerging public security risks before they escalate.
Competing for voters
During the debates, Aq Jol Democratic Party and Respublica continued to compete for entrepreneurs and economically liberal voters, with both parties emphasizing business development and market-oriented reforms.
The Auyl Party remained focused on agricultural development and rural communities, reinforcing its traditional electoral base.
Meanwhile, the Nationwide Social Democratic Party (NSDP) and the People’s Party of Kazakhstan concentrated on social policy. While the Baytaq Green Party distinguished itself by emphasizing environmental protection and sustainable development.
The debate attracted a record level of public participation.
According to Jibek Joly, 165,153 viewers cast votes through the broadcast’s QR-code polling system.
The Adilet party received the highest level of public support with 60.6% of the vote, followed by Auyl with 15.1% and Respublica with 10.2%. NSDP received 3.9%, Aq Jol 3.5%, the People’s Party of Kazakhstan 3.3%, and Baytaq 2.7%. Another 0.7% of respondents selected the option “no one.”
The week also featured head-to-head debates between Aq Jol and Respublica, as well as between the NSDP and the People’s Party of Kazakhstan.
According to political analysts and reactions on social media, Aq Jol’s representative adopted a more confrontational style, relying heavily on factual arguments, while Respublica emphasized political renewal and generational change.
The debate between NSDP and the People’s Party focused primarily on ideological differences, social policy and competing approaches to economic development.
As of Aug. 17, three nationally televised debates had taken place, with a fourth and final debate scheduled for Aug. 19 on 24KZ TV channel.
Elections to Kurultai are scheduled for Aug. 23.
On Aug. 12, the Central Election Commission accredited an additional 405 observers, bringing the total number of accredited election observers to 656.
