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Is Kazakhstan experiencing the early stages of a democratic awakening? UkraineAlert by Rustam Kypshakbayev Opposition supporters in Almaty protest against political repression. February 28, 2021. (REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev) In February 2021, Kazakhstan’s Young Voters League, a civil society initiative led by Kazakhstan’s Youth Information Service NGO, published independent research data indicating that the ruling party had received 48.3% of votes in the country’s January elections. This figure was based on 177 voting protocols and contrasted sharply with official results indicating a far more convincing 71.9% vote share. It is extremely rare in Kazakhstan for even unofficial results to suggest an outcome of below 50%. In most previous elections, the ruling party has typically been credited with staggeringly high official victory margins and only slightly less impressive independent estimates.

Batys qazaqstanAlmaty qalasyRustam kypshakbayevKassym jomart tokayevNursultan nazarbayevPavel mikheyevJamilya marichevaAtlantic councilKazakhstan youth information serviceKazakhstan young voters leagueYoung voters leagueEurasia centerDemocratic partyNational council of publicSecurity councilYouth information service