Kazakhstan to hold snap presidential election on June 9

The acting president of Kazakhstan has said that the country will hold a snap presidential election on June 9.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made the announcement in a televised address to the nation on April 9. He did not divulge if he intends to stand.

The election will mark the next important step of the political transition following the resignation of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev on March 19.

Tokayev said he made the decision to hold the election in consultation with Nazarbayev, who continues to wield considerable influence in his capacity as head of the national Security Council.

“We are on the right course,” Tokayev said. “I therefore firmly believe that an early presidential election is absolutely necessary.”

Tokayev offered assurances that the elections would be fair and open. No presidential vote in Kazakhstan has ever been given a full bill of health by observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Source: https://eurasianet.org/kazakhstan-to-hold-snap-presidential-election-on-june-9