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1 1 (April 14, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govelgu0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional ____ R ~Research Service Snap Parliamentary Elections in Kazakhstan: Outlook and Issues for Congress April 14, 2023 Overview Kazakhstan, a U.S. partner in areas such as counterterrorism, nonproliferation, and regional security, held snap parliamentary elections on March 19, 2023. The electoral contest for the Majilis, the lower chamber of parliament, was announced in January when President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dissolved the previous convocation of parliament, whose term was set to expire in 2026. These elections follow constitutional changes introduced in 2022 and represent part of Tokayev's reform agenda. Some Members of Congress have expressed interest in expanding U.S. engagement with Kazakhstan, and in Kazakhstan's reform process; other Members have conveyed support for Kazakhstan's reforms while expressing concern about alleged human rights abuses in the country. The Biden Administration has stated its full support for Tokayev's reform agenda, and the government of Kazakhstan seeks to consolidate bilateral relations with the United States. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) noted elements of competitiveness in the elections, but also flagged significant procedural irregularities and said citizens' ability to fully participate in political life remains hampered by restrictions on freedoms of association, peaceful assembly, and expression. While self-nominated candidates were allowed to run for the first time since 2004, the ruling Amanat party secured a parliamentary majority, winning 63 of 98 seats. No election in Kazakhstan has been deemed free and fair by OSCE observers, and the country is rated not free by Freedom House. Political Background Following large-scale unrest in January 2022 and Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, President Tokayev moved to consolidate power as his country confronts domestic economic challenges and difficult geopolitical dynamics. Tokayev's reforms are restructuring Kazakhstan's political system and annulling the privileged position of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who held office from 1991 until his resignation in 2019. While authorities argue reforms are moving the country in a more democratic direction, skeptics question whether Kazakhstan will implement genuine democratization. Although Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN12144 CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress

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