Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev has been sworn in for a new five-year term after securing a devastating victory in an election criticized by international observers.

Nazarbayev said at the inauguration ceremony Friday that the election, in which he garnered 95.6 percent of ballots cast, was a vote for stability and prosperity in the Central Asian nation.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe says Sunday's election was marred by numerous cases of ballot box-stuffing, voter intimidation and a lack of transparency.

Nazarbayev is entering his third decade of rule over this oil-rich ex-Soviet republic, which he has led unchallenged since independence.
He said his government would now work to enhance democracy and increase fairness in the country's justice system.