Day of silence in Kazakhstan ahead of presidential election
A ban on election campaigning came into force in Kazakhstan on Saturday ahead of the snap presidential election to take place on Sunday.
TASS agency reports that for the first time ever in Kazakhstan’s modern history, longtime ruler Nursultan Nazarbayev who steered the country for slightly less than 30 years, will not run for presidency. His successor 66-year-old Kassym-Jomart Tokayev nominated by the ruling Nur Otan party, is widely seen as the most likely winner. According to the majority of experts, he is likely to gather 50% plus one vote and claim the victory already in the first round.
The electoral process will be monitored by a record number of local and foreign observers - 1,013 people representing nine international organizations and 41 countries.