Elections mark key point for Kazakhstan

KAZAKHSTAN will hold early presidential elections this year as the country girds itself ahead of expected tougher economic conditions next year. The elections will be held this year after the council of the Kazakh People's Assembly proposed holding presidential elections in 2015 instead of in 2016, to avoid any chance of political instability when the global economic crisis peaks as expected next year.

Speaking on state television broadcast, President Nursultan Nazarbayev also added that the earlier proposed presidential and parliamentary election dates coincide, which contradicts the country's constitution.

There had previously been some doubt as to whether Mr Nazarbayev would run in the polls, but it has since been confirmed that he will be the ruling Nur Otan party's candidate for the presidential elections that will be held in April. Earlier in March, Mr Nazarbayev said that he "had different plans" for his future and took some time to ponder if he should run.