Kazakhstan's ruling party poised to win early election

Early parliamentary elections were held in Kazakhstan on Sunday.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the early vote as part of a "modernization" drive introduced months after protests against fuel prices erupted in January last year.

The demonstrations were heavily repressed and 238 people died, according to the official toll.

Exit polls suggested Tokayev's ruling Amanat party would claim 53-54% of the vote, enough to retain a comfortable majority in parliament as expected. Voter turnout was 54.2%, according to the Central Election Commission.