[77][78] Although the Kazakh economy had begun recovering in late 2020 and eventually reached its pre-pandemic real GDP growth rate of 3.5% by October 2021, it was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to low oil prices and domestic activity.

"[147] On 1 September 2022, during the State of the Nation Address, President Tokayev announced snap presidential elections to take place in the autumn of that year, insisting that a "new mandate of trust from the people" is necessary as a basis for his decision.

[152][153][154] In his address to the nation, Tokayev pledged that the election would lead to "a radical reset of the entire political system" and that it would be conducted under "strict accordance with the law" with it being "fairly, openly and with the broad participation of domestic and international observers.

[159] Regarding whether the voting option would affect the outcome of the presidential election, CEC member Şavkat Ötemisov insisted that there would be no need for legislative action in this scenario due to no real-life examples of this happening elsewhere and that the "Against all" column is "necessary for citizens to express their views on the candidates".

State Counsellor Erlan Karin praised Tokayev's initiative as "a final step away from the super-presidential model", saying that a "one-time presidential norm stabilizes the country's political system for a long time, prevents monopolization of power and strengthens the basic principles of democracy.

"[163] According to Mäulen Äşimbaev, the Senate chairman, a seven-year term would allow for the "development of political competition" and "reduces the risk of monopolising power", assessing that every elected head of state in the world serves for about 10 years.

[243] At the 20th Auyl People's Democratic Patriotic Party, Extraordinary Congress held on 30 September 2022 in Astana, Jiguli Dairabaev was nominated as the first presidential candidate in which the decision was supported by overwhelmingly 67 delegates with just two voting against.

[248] Meiram Qajyken, head of the Institute of Economic Research in the Astana International Scientific Complex, unveiled his nomination on 3 October 2022 by the "Amanat" Commonwealth of Trade Unions following a subsequent joint meeting of the organisation's executive and central committee.

[249][250][251] Qajyken cited his previous experience in working with various trade union associations in Kazakhstan and that his election programme was prepared though not ruling out the need of adjusting it whilst taking into account the wishes of supporters.

On 28 September 2022, CEC secretary Muqtar Erman announced the formation of the linguistic commission, a group consisting of six well-known scientists who oversee the candidate's fluency (with the exception of the incumbent president) in the Kazakh language.

[155] After becoming a nominee for the People's Coalition, Tokayev stated that he would present his election platform in the "near future" and that it would include measures for the transformation of Kazakhstan and the improvement of its welfare of citizens, as well as a balanced foreign policy to ensure "regional and global security".

[315] On 23 October, Dairabaev paid his first campaign visit to the "Shapagat" communal market in Astana where he met with sellers and buyers to which he presented his election platform and raised the issues of growing food prices in Kazakhstan.

[316] National Alliance of Professional Social Workers nominee Qaraqat Äbden campaigned for improving the living standards of Kazakh citizens and providing a decent life for families with the stance of the "main wealth of the state" being a person itself.

[324] Tursynbekova in her election programme addressed proposals in judicial and legal reform, public security, democratisation and modernisation of political system, strengthening the institution of the family, social protection of the population, sustainable business support and economic development.

), where he addressed issues for the past thirty years of Kazakhstan's independence primarily taking an aim of the COVID-19 pandemic impact and insisted the values of social democracy would solve the growing subsequent problems sparked by "oligarchs and foreign politicians".

His electoral platform called for decentralisation of the executive branch, the return of offshore assets held by the "ruling class" in an effort to combat oligarchy, improving the standard of living by taking into account each citizen's need, and increasing sovereignty through trade negotiations while maintaining status quo of neutrality.

[307] Äuesbaev promised if elected to launch criminal investigations against Kazakh oligarchs by redistributing their assets to medium-sized entrepreneurs, gradually nationalise businesses involved in natural resources, increase taxes on corporations, and implement an effective competition law including breaking up the Samruk-Kazyna national wealth fund into smaller industry state holdings.

[329] Tursynbekova proposed to develop a state program for demononpolisation to encourage market competition and entrepreneurship, as well as to form a commission in overseeing the privatisation legality of strategically important facilities and the sale of natural resources in Kazakhstan.

[332] To restore people's confidence in public trust, Tokayev advocated for an independent court and justice system such as abandoning repressive methods towards citizens by strengthening their rights under criminal prosecution and expanding alternative uses of punishment to imprisonment types.

[335] The Oyan, Qazaqstan civic movement refused to recognise the snap election including its outcome as being legitimate, criticising Tokayev for using "Nazarbayev's methods of seizing power" after his announcement of the presidential vote.

[336] At the Coalition of Democratic Forces of Kazakhstan conference held in Almaty on 5 September 2022 which was attended by various opposition figures and civil activists, who opposed in holding of snap presidential elections to which Rysbek Sarsenbai, brother of Altynbek Sarsenbayuly, at the meeting accused Tokayev's proposals as being "restoration of Nazarbayev's authoritarian regime".

[337] The Coalition of Democratic Forces pledged to hold protest rallies in response, although according to attendee Nūrjan Ältaev, it had not ruled out potentially fielding an opposition candidate in case their demands were not initially met.

[364] According to civil activist Älnur Iliaşev, the practice of voter coercion of college students in Kazakhstan leads to pressures such as being deprived of a place in a dormitory and could mentally affect their subsequent academic performance.

[384] On 18 November, Äbdirov revealed that 86 polling stations, under the decision by TECs, would start their operations an hour earlier than usual at 06:00 that included military units, correctional institutions, shift workplaces, sanatoriums and inpatient treatment facilities.

[385][386] Polls in Kazakhstan officially opened on 20 November 2022 at 07:00 (with the exception of the ones an hour earlier) in the eastern portion of the country, as Kazakh citizens in Tokyo were the first ones to cast votes at 04:00 due to time zone differences.

[402] In its interim report issued on 4 November 2022, the OSCE described the presidential campaign as "low-key" with limited public interest and debate as all contestants' election programs were indistinguishable and sometimes even supportive of President Tokayev's.

[405] The televised debates took place on 11 November 2022, where almost all candidates took part in it with exception of President Tokayev, as he paid a working visit to Samarkand in neighbouring Uzbekistan that same day with him instead being represented by Erlan Qoşanov at the podium.

[433] Attended by members of the government, parliament, Constitutional Council, judges of the Supreme Court, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Kazakhstan as well as other invited guests which included presidential candidates and former president Nursultan Nazarbayev.

[443][444] Upon the announcement of preliminary results, presidential candidates Jiguli Dairabaev,[445] Qaraqat Äbden,[446] Meiram Qajyken,[447] Nurlan Äuesbaev,[448] and Saltanat Tursynbekova[449] conceded their loses and all congratulated Tokayev for his reelection win.

Some analysts believed that his extended term in office would lead to further distancing in Kazakhstan's relations with Russia over the invasion of Ukraine,[451][452] while Russian Senator Andrey Shevchenko insisted that the reelection of Tokayev would allow for continued cooperation between Moscow and Astana.