Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev after the announcement of the landslide victory of the pro-Putin Justice Party in Kazakhstan's parliamentary elections held on Sunday.
In a congratulatory telegram to Tokayev published on the Kremlin's website Monday morning, Putin said: "Please accept my warmest congratulations on the victory of the ruling Justice Party in the first elections for Kazakhstan's unicameral parliament, the 'Korultai'."
Putin noted that "the high voter turnout and the results of the popular vote clearly demonstrate the broad popular support for the approach taken by Kazakhstan under your leadership, aimed at strengthening internal political stability, dynamic socio-economic development, and protecting the country's interests on the international stage."
Earlier today, Nurlan Abdyrov, head of Kazakhstan's Central Election Commission, announced at a press conference in the capital, Astana, that the Justice Party had won 71.17% of the vote, or 6,528,948 votes, in the elections held yesterday, Sunday.
According to data from the election commission, the “Oyl” (Village) party came in second place with 6.26% of the votes (574,621 votes), followed by the “Respublika” (Republic) party with 5.56% of the votes, then the “Ak Zhol” (Bright Path) Democratic Party of Kazakhstan (5.21%), then the National Social Democratic Party (5.11%), then the People’s Party of Kazakhstan (3.11%) and the Green Party of Kazakhstan “Betak” (1.07%), while 2.51% of voters voted “against everyone.”
According to preliminary data from the National Election Commission, voter turnout reached 74.8%.
