The presidential elections in Kazakhstan on Sunday proceeded as expected, with no one doubting that incumbent President Nursultan Nazarbayev would win, and the country partying away the day as it has done since Soviet times.
The national TV channels all broadcast entertainment shows and concerts, music was laid on at polling stations, and entire families came out to vote together.
The first family was no exception, with Nazarbayev voting in the capital, Astana, along with his wife, Sara, their eldest daughter, Dariga, and their middle daughter, Dinara, as well as her husband, Timur Kulibayev.
Nazarbayev made the traditional comments to the press after voting, declaring the election “historic,” because “this year is the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence.” “We have overcome a…