ALMATY, July 25 (RIA Novosti) - Kazakhstan's pro-presidential political party Nur Otan hopes to gain an overwhelming victory of up to 90% of votes at parliamentary elections scheduled for August 18, a deputy head of the party said Wednesday.

Last month the Central Asian country's president agreed to dissolve the lower house of parliament and call early elections at the request of lawmakers, in a move to clear the way for president-sponsored reforms.

"We intend to receive 80-90% of votes and gain an overwhelming number of seats in parliament, which will make our party not just pro-presidential, but the ruling party as well," Kairat Kelimbetov said.

The official said other parties that have a clear vision for the future also have good chances of gaining seats in the legislature, among them the opposition Ak Zhol party.

President Nursultan Nazarbayev has overseen high economic growth in recent years and relative stability fed by vast oil and gas revenue. GDP grew 10.6% last year and 9.4% in 2005. However the leader, who has ruled the country since Soviet times, has come under international criticism for his democratic record.

Nazarbayev said last month that the Majlis's dissolution was not over a political crisis in Kazakhstan or a reflection of poor performance, but was due to the need to advance democratic reforms.