President's Party wins Kazakhstan's Ist Parliamentary polls

Almaty, Kazakhstan, Aug 19 (UNI) The economically prosperous Central Asian Republic of Kazakhstan began its tryst with democracy today after President Nursultan Nazarbayev's Nur Otan Party romped home with an overwhelming majority in the country's first ever polls marking a shift from President's rule to Parliamentary system.

The party got more than 88 per cent votes while all other six political parties were left way behind. The only party that received four per cent votes was the main opposition Social Democratic Party -- a joint front put up by two opposition parties. The other five got less that one per cent votes each. Seven political parties were contesting the elections.

The results were announced at a nationally-televised press conference from capital Astana.

The country witnessed polls under a new Constitution with wide-ranging political reforms. In the new Constitution, adopted on May 21, death penalty is abolished, except in cases of terrorism, a President's term is reduced from seven to five years and the number of seats in Majlis (lower House of Parliament) is increased.

The new constitution also includes measures like increase in the power of the Parliament like Prime Minister's nomination to be approved by the Majilis, significant increase in the number of MPs-- both at the Majilis (from 77 to 107) and in the Senate (from 39 to 47). 98 Majilis MPs were to be elected by proportional representation.

There is also reinforcement of powers of regional authorities, increased government accountability and reinforcement of the multi-party system with the introduction of financial support by the State.

The country's adoption of Parliamentary system of democracy is seen as a move to join the league of democratic nations-- notably India with which it forsees cooperation in diverse sectors-- ranging from nuclear energy to culture, from Defence to security.

The oil rich country that became independent in 1991 after separating from the erstwhile Soviet Union, was ruled by President Nursultan Nazabayev who is credited with the country's rapid economic strides and the present 10 per cent annual economic growth.

Although campainging was low key, President Nazarbayev commands most support for his economic reforms and opposition to his Party Nur Otan was virtually nil. Nur Otan's win was expected.

The country was simultaneously holding elections for 98 seats of the Lower House (Majlis) and local assemblies. While for local assemblies, voters voted for individual candidates, for the Majlis, people had to vote for political parties instead of individual candidates.

About 47 international observers, including three from India, were monitoring the elections. Electronic voting machines were used in many polling stations even though voters had the option of manual voting.

Mr Nurtas Nauryzbaev, Secretary of the opposition, 'Party of Patriots', which got mere 0.76 per cent votes, said they were looking towards India as a ''model'' of democracy and for the economic progress and political stability India was witnessing.

Most political parties and candidates admire India's economic growth and political stability which, they said ''wanted to emulate''.

UNI