Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

It’s been a challenging year for Kazakhstan: Domestic unrest, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a constitutional referendum, and now a snap presidential election.

As usual, there will be multiple names on the ballot come November 20 but only one real choice.

“We must take care of them and ensure their safety. This is a political and humanitarian issue,” Kazakh President Tokayev said of the influx of Russians.

The not-so-subtle criticism of the Russian government regarding Ukraine in Kazakh President Tokayev’s UNGA speech should not be overlooked.

Kazakhstan is to introduce a single seven-year presidential term and revert the capital’s name to “Astana.”

Although no date has been set, Kazakhstan’s likely imminent presidential election has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures.

The Kazakh president, whose constitutional referendum this summer aimed to bring about a "New" Kazakhstan, has moved, rhetorically, on to speaking of a “Just” Kazakhstan.

The world has changed profoundly since the last Central Asian Consultative Meeting, yet the new regional grouping carries on.

Not yet, despite the president’s repeated assertions otherwise.

In a recent interview, the Kazakh president again pushed back against those in Russia who say Moscow "saved" Kazakhstan in January.

With 77 percent voting to approve constitutional changes that nix the "leader of the nation," Nazarbayev's star has truly faded in Kazakhstan.

On June 5, Kazakhs will vote on a package of reforms intended to transform the country from a super-presidential system to a “presidential system with a strong parliament."