About the election observation
ODIHR observed Kazakhstan’s early parliamentary elections on 23 August 2026. Find the mission’s findings, reports and key information on the election observation below.
At a glance
23 August 2026
Election day
339
International observers from 43 countries
206
Observers deployed by ODIHR
Ambassador Vincent Piket
Head of mission
24 August 2026
Preliminary findings published
Final report
Forthcoming
Preliminary conclusions
24 August 2026
Kazakhstan’s 23 August early parliamentary elections, while technically well prepared, took place in an environment lacking political pluralism. Political choice was reduced by the lack of distinct political alternatives, with all contesting parties supporting the incumbent President’s policies, international observers said in a preliminary statement released today. The campaign was orderly and the contesting parties were provided with equal campaign conditions, but the new Adilet party had an undue advantage, the observers said.
ODIHR press release, 24 August 2026
Reports and documents
Find all key documents from ODIHR’s observation of the 23 August 2026 early parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan.
Election day
23 August 2026
On election day, 339 observers from 43 countries were deployed, including 206 observers deployed by ODIHR, as well as a 68-member delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and a 23 member delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). There were 61 per cent of women among the observers. Opening was observed in 127 polling stations and voting was observed in 1,327 polling stations across the country. Counting was observed in 119 polling stations, and the tabulation in 91 Territorial Election Commissions. The short-term observers deployed throughout the country in multinational teams of two monitored opening of polling stations, voting, counting of ballots and tabulation of results at all levels.
Election observation mission
10 July - 5 September 2026
On 10 July 2026 ODIHR formally opened an Election Observation Mission (EOM).
An interim report was published by ODIHR two weeks prior to the elections, to update the public on the observation mission’s activities.
Before the mission: needs assessment
15-19 June 2026
In anticipation of the announcement of the parliamentary elections and of an invitation from the authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan to observe the elections, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR undertook a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) from 15 to 19 June 2026. Based on the findings of the NAM report, ODIHR recommended the deployment of an Election Observation Mission (EOM).
ODIHR observation activities in Kazakhstan
ODIHR has previously observed 15 elections and 2 referenda in Kazakhstan, most recently the 2023 early parliamentary elections and the 2026 referendum. Further information on ODIHR’s election observation activities in the country can be found here.
ODIHR carries out election observation across the OSCE region, on the invitation from the national authorities. Election observation missions assess the extent to which fundamental freedoms are respected in the campaign and if the elections are characterized by equality, universality, political pluralism, confidence, transparency and accountability. ODIHR’s mandate to observe elections comes from the OSCE commitments outlined in the 1990 OSCE Copenhagen Document, other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as national legislation. Since the Office’s establishment over 30 years ago, ODIHR has deployed more than 470 missions. ODIHR missions are firmly committed to transparency and openness in all aspects of its work and encourages media inquiries.
All 57 OSCE participating States have committed to following up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations. Check how they’re are being implemented across the OSCE region at paragraph25.odihr.pl.
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