Astana, Aug. 23 -- Kazakhstan is holding its first election for the 145-member unicameral Kurultay, marking a major transformation of the country's parliamentary system.
Voting began at 7 am local time at 10,423 polling stations across Kazakhstan and abroad, with 12,605,788 registered voters eligible to cast ballots, according to the Central Election Commission.
The Kurultay will replace the country's previous bicameral parliament, consisting of the Mazhilis and Senate. Seven political parties are competing for the 145 seats: Adilet, Respublica, Baytaq, Ak Zhol, Auyl (Village), the National Social Democratic Party of Kazakhstan and the People's Party of Kazakhstan. Voters can also select the "against all" option.
The election is being mo...