Tokayev sees one-term presidential mandate in Kazakhstan as 'bold step toward democracy'

ASTANA. Sept 27 (Interfax) - By introducing the legislation under which a person can be elected to serve only one presidential term in Kazakhstan, the country is making a bold step toward democracy, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

"Another important reform is the election of a president for a single term. There have been no such changes in a single country in our region. Therefore, I believe this reform is a bold step toward democracy. Despite certain risks, I am absolutely confident that this decision is essential for our people's bright future," Tokayev said at a meeting with civil society groups in the Turkistan region, where he is on a working trip.

"We are enhancing dialogue between the government and society and putting into practice the 'hearing state' concept. All of our society is involved in this major work. We should not rest on our laurels. All of us should be moving ahead along this track," he said.

Kazakhstan recently introduced a reform proposed by Tokayev to increase the presidential term's duration to seven from five years, while the same person cannot be elected president twice, as was the case before.