Kazakhstan to hold snap presidential election on Nov. 20

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Wednesday called an early presidential election in Kazakhstan on Nov. 20.

In a presidential decree published by his office, Tokayev said the election will launch “an electoral cycle that will lead to a radical reset of the entire political system.”

The announcement comes days after Tokayev approved a constitutional amendment to increase the presidential term to seven years from five, while barring any future president from serving a second term.

Another change made last week was reverting the capital’s name to Astana. It was switched to Nur-Sultan in 2019 as a tribute to outgoing President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Tokayev took over as president in March 2019, succeeding Nazarbayev, who ruled the oil-rich Central Asian nation for three decades.

He is expected to win a second term in the November election.

Tokayev said the election campaign will be held in accordance with the law, asserting that the electoral process will be conducted fairly, openly and with the participation of domestic and international observers.​​​​​​​