Five parties win seats in Kazakhstan's first unicameral election

Five political parties have won seats in Kazakhstan's first election to the country's new unicameral parliament, the Kurultai, according to preliminary results released on Monday by the Central Election Commission.

About 9.35 million voters cast ballots, with turnout reaching 74.08%, the results showed.

The ruling Adilet Party led with 71.17% of the vote, followed by the Auyl Party with 6.26%, the commission said.

Kazakhstan's new Constitution, which took effect on July 1, provides for a 145-member unicameral parliament, with deputies serving five-year terms.

The country previously had a bicameral parliament.

Kazakhstan held its first Kurultai election on Sunday, with 545 candidates from seven political parties contesting the vote.

Final results are expected to be announced within 10 days after voting ends.