Quick Poll: Why Astana Residents Came to Vote and What They Expect

Astana, August 23, Free Eurasia. On August 23, Kazakhstan is holding elections to the Kurultai, the country’s new unicameral parliament established as a result of the constitutional reform and the referendum held in March 2026. A total of 145 deputies will be elected. The elections are being held under a party-list system, with seven political parties taking part.

Free Eurasia conducted an anonymous quick poll at three polling stations in Astana to find out why residents of the capital came to vote, where they obtained information about the elections, what influenced their choice of party, and what changes they expect from the new parliament. At the request of the respondents, their real names are not being disclosed; the names used in the text have been changed.

“I Hope to See New Faces”

Yerlan, voter from Astana

— Where did you hear about the elections?

— On television, on Instagram. There are also billboards around the city.

— Why did you decide to come and vote?

— For the future, for our children, for ourselves. Of course, change is good if the economy keeps moving forward.

— Do you see these elections as connected to the recent referendum?

— Of course, they are connected to the referendum.

— What do you expect from the new parliament?

— New people, new thinking. Mostly younger people. I think parliament will be renewed, there will be new faces, new blood.

“I Read All the Party Programs”

Aigul, civil servant

— Did you come to vote voluntarily?

— Yes.

— Who did you vote for?

— The Nationwide Social Democratic Party.

— Did you familiarize yourself with the parties’ programs before the election?

— I read all the programs.

— What attracted you most in this party’s program?

— Their proposal to nationalize Kazakhstan’s subsoil resources. That is closer to my views.

— Do you think the situation can really improve after the elections?

— I can only hope so.

— Did you take part in the referendum on constitutional amendments?

— Yes.

— In your view, are today’s elections connected to the constitutional reform?

— Yes, directly.

“Renewing Parliament Could Give the Country New Momentum”

Dinara, Astana resident

— Where did you get information about the elections?

— There was no special information campaign at our organization. I learned about the elections online, including through Instagram.

— And where did you find information about the political parties?

— Also online. I read about the parties and their programs there.

— Who did you vote for?

— For the largest party.

The respondent chose not to specify the party’s name.

— Why did you decide to take part in the vote?

— I hope that renewing parliament will bring improvements and give new momentum to the development of Kazakhstan’s political and economic system.

The responses collected in the quick poll reflect different motivations for taking part in the election: expectations of generational and personnel renewal in parliament, support for specific economic proposals in party platforms, and hopes for further political and economic change following the constitutional reform.