TEHRAN (Iran News) –The Republic of Kazakhstan is getting ready for holding its seventh presidential election since its independence in 1991 as the event will open a new horizon for the country and its people which are eagerly waiting for it, says Kazakhstan Ambassador to Tehran Mr. Askhat Orazbay.

Speaking in a press conference at Parsian Azadi Hotel of Tehran, Mr. Orazbay briefed the participants of recent political and economic developments in Kazakhstan and pointed to the upcoming presidential election which will be held on November 20 and it will be a turning point in the history of the country.

The ambassador first pointed to the historic decision of incumbent Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for announcing the launch of a new political reform program and a number of socio-economic measures.

A constant institutional reloading and upgrading of the country’s party map and electoral system, significant renewal of the composition and functions of the parliament, the government, and the local authorities, partial decentralization of the power, development and democratization of the local administration and representation, increase of the effectiveness of the local law enforcement agencies and establishment of new groups of reforms are long-term reforms in the political system which have been announced by President Tokayev, the ambassador noted.

Mr. Orazbay then went on to say that President Tokayev has called for snap presidential elections which has been decided to be held on November 20. He added that Mr. Tokayev recommended limiting the president’s term to one term of seven years and re-election would be prohibited and this will help the political system not to be monopolized by one president.

Then the ambassador pointed to the election campaign promises of Mr. Tokayev in different fields as he  has vowed to adjust payment system and boosting livelihood of the people and bring competition and equal opportunities for all people.

The president has vowed to increase the salary base from 60,000 to 70,000 tenge and this will affect the incomes of over 1.8m citizens.

Launching a new national fund for children, issuing visas for high-skilled foreigners and significant investors and easing business activities are of the other promises of Mr. Tokayev, Orazbay continued.

Orazbay noted that Mr. Tokayev has reiterated that if he is elected, there will be rule of law, transparency and openness and justice in the country.

The diplomat then pointed to the important strategic geographical position of Kazakhstan which has made the country a good destination for investment as the country is now the largest economy in the Central Asia as the country has attracted over $400b of foreign investment the biggest in the region.

Orazbay then reiterated that Kazakh President has realized the country needs some reforms as its young population demands it and he wants to implement the reforms as soon as possible to push the country to a better position in the region and the world.

Meanwhile in the presser, Head of Iran-Kazakhstan Joint Chamber of Commerce Mr. Amir Abedi pointed to the strategic location of Kazakhstan and importance of this country for Iranian traders and said that during the pandemic, Kazakhstan was the only country had kept its borders open for Iranian traders and hailed Kazakhstan for revoking visa regime for Iranian citizens which will help the trade between the two countries to increase.

Tehran University Teacher Ms. Elahe Koulaee also in the presser pointed to the performance of Kazakhstan since its independence and hailed it for having a balanced political relation with countries and also hailed Mr. Tokayev for his bod decision for implementing reforms which will help the country progress more.

Then reporters in the event raised some questions and Mr. Orazbay answered them.

Kazakhstan on November 20 will hold the seventh presidential election since its independence in 1991 and six contenders will compete to administer the country. For the first time, there are two female candidates in the presidential election in Kazakhstan as the country has invited international observers to monitor the election process.

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CAPTION: Kazakhstan Ambassador Mr. Askhat Orazbay (C), Dr. Elahe Koulaee (L) and Head of Iran-Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce Amir Abedi (R) attend the press conference at Parsian Azadi Hoel of Tehran on Tuesday, November 8.