Around 12 million voters have until 8:00 pm to cast ballots in polls that could see independent candidates enter the lower house of a parliament currently composed of parties loyal to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The charges include terrorism, obstructing police officers in carrying out their tasks, attacks on police, wounding officers and threatening their lives.
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev says the vote would allow him to start implementing his plan to reform the country and ensure a fairer distribution of its oil wealth.
Seoul and Washington have ramped up defence cooperation in the face of growing military and nuclear threats from Pyongyang, which has conducted a series of banned weapons tests in recent months.
China's embassy urges its citizens to avoid travelling outside the capital, Bangui, after nine of its nationals were killed in a gold mine outside the city.
