Voter turnout exceeded 35%

By noon Astana time voter turnout reached 35.3 percent, Tengrinews.kz reports referring to the Central Election Commission. 3.185.546 people had voted in the Majilis (lower chamber of the parliament) and Maslikhat (local representative authorities) elections by noon. “As of noon January 15 3.185.546 received their voting ballots. This is 35.3 percent of the voters in Kazakhstan,” member of the Central Election Commission Usen Zhetenov announced. 10.9 percent of voters voted in Astana, 6.4 percent in Almaty, 44.7 percent in Akmola oblast, 31.1 percent in Aktobe oblast, 57.1 percent in Almaty oblast, 45.1 percent in Atyrau oblast, 43.5 percent in East Kazakhstan oblast, 38 percent in Zhambyl oblast, 22.1 percent in West Kazakhstan oblast, 31.4 percent in Karaganda oblast, 56.2 percent in Kostanay oblast, 55.6 percent in Kyzylorda oblast, 23.3 percent in Mangistau oblast, 33.3 percent in Pavlodar oblast, 47.3 percent in North Kazakhstan oblast, 19.4 percent in South Kazakhstan oblast. Usen Zhakenov told about the observation of foreign experts: “An observer from Germany said that elections in Kazakhstan are being held at a very high level and in accordance with the law. And he thinks that there is no need to Kazakhstan to invite international observers in future.” According to the Central Election Commission the voting is taking place at 9764 polling stations.