Nur Otan to convene ahead of early presidential poll

    Kazakhstan's ruling Nur Otan party will hold a congress on March 11, weeks ahead of an early election that is expected to prolong President Nursultan Nazarbaev's rule.
    Nur Otan deputy chairman Bauyrzhan Baibek told reporters on February 26 that the delegates to the meeting of the party, which is headed by Nazarbayev, will be nominated in Kazakhstan's regions in a week.
    The statement comes one day after Nazarbayev announced that an early presidential election will be held on April 26.
    Nazarbayev, in power since 1989, said he would not yet reveal whether he would seek reelection, but the party is likely to propose his candidacy.
    The next presidential vote had been scheduled for 2016, but an assembly chaired by Nazarbayev proposed on February 14 that the vote be held this year.
    Analysts say Nazarbayev is eager to start a new term soon because of concerns that economic troubles stemming from lower world oil prices and Western sanctions against trade partner Russia could undermine his popular support, according to RFE/RL.