Tokayev wins Kazakhstan's presidential election

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Kazakhstan's incumbent President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has won the country's presidential election after gaining 70.8 percent of the votes, the Central Election Commission said, well ahead of his nearest rival, opposition candidate Amirzhan Kosanov with 16.2 percent.

Tokayev's opponents were quick to congratulate him, including second-place finisher Kosanov, a journalist who presented himself as the ballot's sole opposition candidate.

"This political transition will take place with the participation of the people," Kosanov said, criticizing "foreign-based" opposition figures who had encouraged voters to boycott the poll.

Third place was claimed by Daniya Yespayeva, the first woman candidate in a Kazakh presidential election, who scored 5.2 percent of the ballot according to the CEC.

In accordance with the constitution of Kazakhstan, the candidate who receives more than 50 percent of the votes shall be considered elected.

Voting for the presidential election in Kazakhstan kicked off at 07:00 a.m. local time (0100 GMT) and ended at 09:00 p.m. (1500 GMT) earlier in the day.

Members of a local election committee carry a ballot box before counting votes during the presidential election in Almaty, Kazakhstan, June 9, 2019. /VCG Photo

On March 19, the country's first president Nursultan Nazarbayev resigned unexpectedly after 30 years in power. Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan Tokayev then became the interim president and called a snap presidential vote for June 9.

Hundreds protest

Hundreds of people also protest on Sunday in Almaty and Nur-Sultan against the election.

The Interior Ministry later said police had detained about 500 people, describing them as "radical elements seeking to destabilize society".

Deputy Interior Minister Marat Kozhayev said two policemen had been hurt by rocks hurled at them from the crowd and one sustained an eye injury from pepper spray.

Presidential candidate Kassym-Jomart Tokayev casts his ballot during the presidential elections in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, 09 June 2019. /VCG Photo

Tokayev said after casting his ballot in Nur-Sultan that he was urging both police and protesters to be tolerant and planned to include young activists critical of the government in a “special committee” to promote dialogue.

(With inputs from agencies)