ASTANA, October 4 (RIA Novosti) - Kazakhstan's top election authority declared Saturday's parliamentary elections valid a few hours after polls closed.

"According to preliminary data from election commissions in the regions, [the capital] Astana and Almaty, 16 senators have been elected to the Kazakh parliament, with results available from all the regions in the first round," Kuandyk Turgunkulov said.

Voter turnout reached 97.6%, the head of the Central Election Commission (CEC) added.

No violations were registered, according to the CEC, which should have definitive election results by October 10 and publish them by October 13.

Over 200 observers were involved in the polls, including 50 foreign monitors.

CIS observers described the polls as "transparent and free," chief CIS monitor Yevgeny Novozhilov said.

Half of the senate members are elected every three years, with a senator's mandate valid for six years. Thirty-seven candidates were running for 16 seats this year. Seven senators are appointed by the republic's president.