Kazakhstan's incumbent leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appeared to be heading for a landslide victory in a snap presidential election in Central Asia's largest country, according to preliminary results published Monday.
The 69-year-old, who came to power in 2019, received 81.31 percent of the vote in Sunday's election, said the oil-rich nation's electoral commission.
None of the five other candidates scored double digits in the vote, while 5.8 percent of voters cast their ballot against all candidates.
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Rich in natural resources and located at the crossroads of important trade routes, Kazakhstan sank into chaos during protests over high living costs in January, which left 238 dead.
Tokayev -- once a steady hand, if generally considered lacking charisma -- showed a ruthless side earlier this year by violently suppressing the protests.
Sunday's election was a chance for Tokayev to consolidate his grip on power.
Hoping to turn over a new leaf after a turbulent year, Tokayev had said he was seeking a "new mandate of trust from the people" in this election.