Kazakhstan's presidential election kicks off

A man rides a bicycle past large letters reading "Nur-Sultan" in downtown Nur-Sultan on June 7, 2019, ahead of Kazakhstan's presidential elections on June 9. [Photo: AFP/ Vyacheslav OSELEDKO]

Kazakhstan's presidential election kicked off on Sunday with seven candidates vying for the top office.

Around 10,000 polling stations were arranged home and abroad, including 65 in 51 foreign countries.

Polls in Kazakhstan opened at 7:00 a.m. local time (0100 GMT) and will close at 8:00 p.m. (1400 GMT).

Kazakh President and presidential candidate Kassym-Jomart Tokayev casts his ballot at a polling station during Kazakhstan's presidential elections in Nur-Sultan on June 9, 2019. [Photo: AFP/ VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO]

Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Kazakhstan has registered 1,013 international observers from 41 countries and nine international organizations to monitor the voting process.

A total of 11,814,019 Kazakhstan citizens were registered as voters as of Jan. 1, 2019.

Kazakh servicemen receive ballots at a polling station during Kazakhstan's presidential elections in Nur-Sultan on June 9, 2019. [Photo: AFP/ Stanislav FILIPPOV]

Kazakhstan deployed about 19,000 law enforcement personnel across the country to ensure the elections proceed peacefully.