Tokayev sworn in four days after election results in Kazakhstan

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has won an early elections and took the presidential oath in Kazakhstan, officially assuming the post of head of state on Saturday, according to a Sputnik correspondent.  

During the inauguration ceremony, Tokayev said "I do solemnly swear to faithfully serve the people of Kazakhstan, strictly follow the constitution and laws of Kazakhstan, guarantee the rights and freedoms of citizens, and faithfully perform the high duties of the president of Kazakhstan assigned to me."

The ceremony held at the Palace of Independence in Astana was attended by the first President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, members of the government and the parliament, the diplomatic corps accredited in the country, as well as public representatives.

The oath must be taken within a month following the announcement of the election results if a head of state is elected in an early election, according to Kazakh law. Tokayev, however, was sworn in on the fourth day after the results were announced.

On November 20, Kazakhstan held an early presidential election. Six persons, including the incumbent president, Tokayev, have registered as presidential contenders. He received 81.31% of the votes cast, at a time when the overall turnout was 69.44%.

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