MOSCOW, Aug 24 (Bernama-dpa) -- Kazakhstan has abolished its bicameral parliament, which had been in place for three decades, and elected a single-chamber legislature for the first time following constitutional reform in the authoritarian Central Asian republic, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
No opposition parties or independent candidates were permitted to stand in Sunday's election of the Kurultai, the new unicameral parliament with 145 seats.
The election under the new system served to consolidate the power of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who wants to use it to pass legislation more quickly.
The Kurultai is also expected to appoint a vice president for the first time in 30 years, at the suggestion of Tokayev. The move could allow the 73-year-old president to position a potential successor.
The post was abolished in the constitution in 1996. Some 12.6 million people were eligible to vote. Turnout stood at over 65 per cent by the afternoon, meaning the vote was valid under electoral rules, authorities said.
Seven parties were permitted to take part, including the new Adilet party, which is intended to consolidate forces around President Tokayev. All the parties support the president.
Dissenting voters have the option of marking "against all" on the ballot paper. Meaningful results are not expected until Monday. The vote is being monitored by observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which is due to deliver its verdict on Monday.
Ahead of the vote, media outlets and journalists had complained of restrictions on press freedom and freedom of expression in the country, which borders Russia.
-- NNN-BERNAMA-dpa