President addressed Kazakhstanis before the Kurultai elections

Tengrinews.kz — President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the nation ahead of the upcoming Kurultai elections.
The live broadcast began at 7:00 PM.
The President is speaking on the eve of the Kurultai elections, scheduled for August 23. Follow the online broadcast here.
Earlier, the Head of State's address was announced by his press secretary, Aybek Smadiyarov.

The official Akorda website has published the full text of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's address ahead of the Kurultai elections. The statement is provided in its entirety below:

"Dear compatriots!
This coming Sunday, our country will witness a truly historic event: the first elections to the new unicameral Kurultai.
In recent years, our nation has been steadily advancing along the path of large-scale reforms.
Through unity, harmony, and solidarity, we have achieved significant results in building a Just Kazakhstan. However, much work remains ahead.
With the People's Constitution now in effect, these elections will serve as the starting point for new reforms for the benefit of all citizens and will mark a new milestone in the annals of modern Kazakhstan.
I announced the Kurultai elections well in advance to ensure all parties could properly prepare for them.
As a result, this first Kurultai electoral campaign has been substantive, open, competitive, and civilized. This is the consensus among our citizens.
Without a doubt, these elections will be remembered as perhaps the most engaging in our country's history.
During meetings with voters, media campaigning, national televised debates, and social media discussions, political parties presented well-reasoned arguments for their programs.
In other words, citizens were given the opportunity to evaluate the political parties' visions for the country's future and various initiatives for the further development of all spheres of life, from the economy to culture.
The election campaign has demonstrated a shift in the public agenda, where the ideas of creation and progress have firmly taken center stage.
New faces have emerged on the scene, and interesting ideas have surfaced.
This is a vital sign of political renewal and the awakening of our nation's vibrant energy.
I am particularly heartened to see young people, representatives of professional communities, and entrepreneurs actively engaging in public discourse.
This is a direct result of our reforms aimed at enhancing political culture and expanding citizen participation in governance.
A responsible attitude toward the nation's destiny is a crucial condition for Kazakhstan's dynamic progress.
The progress of the election campaign has been monitored by numerous domestic and international observers. They will be working at polling stations on election day.
We are building a state where the principle of "Law and Order," the efficiency of government institutions, respect for the will of citizens, and the protection of their legal rights are becoming the enduring norms.
I am confident that the nationwide vote will result in the election of professionals and patriots of our Motherland to the Kurultai.
The new legislative body must become a common platform for constructive views and aspirations. The Kurultai will set a high pace for the further modernization of the country.
In the face of unprecedented geopolitical tension and growing global challenges, we must firmly and consistently implement our strategy to transform Kazakhstan into a truly developed state.
We face complex tasks as we strive to join the ranks of the world's leading nations.
Often, the value of the most important decisions is only fully realized by people years later.
This Sunday marks just such a fateful moment, as we open a new chapter in the history of Kazakhstan.
Our future depends on the conscious choice of millions of citizens—on each and every one of you, dear compatriots.
Participating in elections is the ultimate act of the people's will, a manifestation of civic responsibility and a sense of shared destiny with the Motherland. Millions around the world are still fighting for their right to vote.
As the folk proverb goes: "A decision made together is the wisest" ("Kelisip pishken ton kelte bolmas").
I call upon all citizens, especially the youth, to take part in the elections and contribute to the further successful development of Kazakhstan.
I am convinced that your voice will serve to strengthen our sacred Motherland!
I wish all my compatriots health and prosperity!
Long live our Fatherland – the Republic of Kazakhstan!"

The upcoming August 23 elections to the Kurultai will open a new chapter in Kazakhstan’s political system.
These are the first elections since the new Constitution came into force on July 1, ending the term of the bicameral Parliament — the Mazhilis and the Senate. Competing for 145 seats in the new unicameral body will be seven political parties that have submitted lists of varying sizes.
This will be the country's tenth parliamentary campaign since 1991.
The President previously noted that the Kurultai elections would be a landmark event in the life of the country. He emphasized that Kazakhstan has embarked on a path of comprehensive modernization, which is reflected in fundamental changes across all spheres of public life.