Kazakhstan electoral commission: Tokayev leads snap presidential election

The acting president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev, is leading in the snap presidential election, says the country’s electoral commission.

Preliminary data indicates that Tokayev has 81.31% of the popular vote so far. 5.8% voted “against all.”

The remaining candidates and their share of votes to this minute:

• Zhiguli Dairabaev (Auyl People’s Democratic Patriotic Party): 3.42%
• Karakat Abden (National Alliance of Professional Social Workers): 2.6%
• Meiram Kazhyken (Amanat Commonwealth of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan): 2.53%
• Nurlan Auesbaev (opposition, National Social Democratic Party): 2.22%
• Saltanat Tursynbekova (nominated by the “Kazakh Mothers — The Way to Traditions” association): 2.12%

The turnout stands at 69.44%, the commission says.

The snap presidential election started on 20 November in Kazakhstan.

On 1 September, Tokayev announced that a snap presidential election would be held in autumn and suggested limiting the presidential mandate to one term of seven years without the possibility of reelection. “National interests stand above all for me. Therefore, I am willing to shorten my term in office and announce snap presidential elections,” he then said.