ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the new Vice President is expected to be appointed within the next week or 10 days, speaking to media representatives after casting his ballot in the country’s first elections to the Kurultai on Aug. 23.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke to media representatives after casting his ballot in the country’s first elections to the Kurultai on Aug. 23. Photo credit: Akorda.
Responding to questions about the reforms and the changes expected after the Kurultai and the Kazakhstan Khalyk Kenesi (People’s Council) begin their work, Tokayev described the newly established Vice President position as a significant and necessary institutional change.
“We deliberately established this new position in the Constitution. I would not be mistaken in saying that it is extremely necessary. In the current difficult times, such a position is particularly needed by our country,” Tokayev said.
He said the name of the person who will take the position is expected to become known within the next seven to 10 days, adding that it would be premature to disclose the candidate’s name during the voting process.
“I think this will be a well-known person whom you all know very well,” he said.
Tokayev also highlighted the planned launch of the Kazakhstan Khalyk Kenesi, a new state body that he said would build on the work previously carried out by the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. According to him, the new institution will serve as a multifunctional political mechanism as part of the country’s broader reforms.
Tokayev on 2029 presidential election
Asked whether he intends to use his constitutional right to seek another presidential term in 2029, Tokayev said the Constitutional Court’s recent decision confirming his eligibility is lawful, but that discussing his future candidacy would be premature.
“The Constitutional Court made this decision. It is lawful, and I have the legal right to be re-elected. But as for the upcoming elections or, as you put it, whether I will run or not, and in which year, it is premature to speculate on this,” he said.
Tokayev said the government has many tasks to complete before it can address such questions. He also said the government’s composition would change, while stressing that there are currently no grounds for concern about its work.
“Personnel changes are always inevitable because they give the government new strength,” Tokayev said, adding that such changes should be aimed at providing a serious impetus to the government’s work rather than dismissals for their own sake.
Voter turnout exceeds 65.37%
Meanwhile, voter turnout in Kazakhstan’s first elections to the Kurultai reached 65.37% by 4 p.m. on Aug. 23, with 8,240,336 voters having received ballots, according to the Central Election Commission (CEC).
The Kyzylorda Region recorded the highest turnout at 81.38%, followed by East Kazakhstan at 79.33%, Zhetisu Region at 77.03%, and Turkistan Region at 76.73%.
Turnout in the Aktobe Region stood at 75.63%, Akmola Region at 73.69%, Abai Region at 71.18%, Karagandy Region at 70.91% and Kostanai Region at 70.09%.
Among the cities of national significance, turnout reached 67.92% in Shymkent, 46.38% in Astana and 36.65% in Almaty.
Other regional figures were 67.23% in the Almaty Region, 67.06% in Pavlodar Region, 65.86% in Mangystau Region, 64.29% in Ulytau Region, 63.94% in North Kazakhstan, 63.37% in Atyrau Region, 61.81% in West Kazakhstan and 69.11% in the Zhambyl Region.
The CEC will provide the next update on voter turnout at 6 p.m.
