Kazakh president congratulates Putin on ‘successful’ elections

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on the “successful” conduct of State Duma elections in a phone call on Monday, the Kremlin said.

Tokayev stressed the results “convincingly demonstrate broad support for the Russian president’s strategic course aimed at safeguarding the long-term interests of the Russian state.”

The two leaders also discussed bilateral issues and cooperation within the Eurasian region, including in the run-up to the meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State scheduled for early October in Turkmenistan.

Putin and Tokayev reaffirmed their commitment to further developing the comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance between Russia and Kazakhstan.

Putin had earlier said participation in the vote would show unity and contribute to Russia’s “victory” amid the Ukraine war.

The three-day election for the 450-seat State Duma, the lower house of parliament, ended Sunday with voter turnout approaching 59,32%, according to the Central Election Commission.

According to preliminary data, the ruling United Russia party was leading and on course to secure a constitutional majority.

Central Election Commission chief Ella Pamfilova said United Russia secured 57.83% and is likely to take 355 of the 450 seats in the State Duma.

The election was Russia's first parliamentary vote since 2022 and was held amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Voting also took place in Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine, a move rejected by Kyiv and condemned by some Western governments.