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Voters go to polls as election kicks off in Kazakhstan Voters go to polls as presidential election kicks off in Kazakhstan
(about 3 hours later)
The first election without longtime President Nursultan Nazarbayev, after his unexpected resignation in March, is taking place in Kazakhstan. The interim president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, is the favorite in the race.
Tokayev called on the opposition to show restraint and engage in dialogue with the government. Kazakhstan is holding a snap presidential election on Sunday after its president of nearly 30 years, Nursultan Nazarbayev, unexpectedly resigned in March.
Kazakhstan experienced rising opposition sentiment this spring. Anti-government rallies were held calling for a boycott of the election, which protestors believe is rigged for the ex-president’s favorite. Among the seven candidates vying for office, Kassym-Jomart Kokayev of the ruling Nur Otan party is a heavy favorite. He was the speaker of the Senate before having been appointed interim president following Nazarbayev’s resignation. His chief opponents are journalist Amirjan Qosanov and opposition lawmaker Dania Yespayeva. 
As of 2pm local time, the turnout was around 35 percent.