NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has been sworn in as Kazakhstan’s president on Wednesday. 

The swearing-in ceremony in the Independence Palace saw participation of high-profile officials from Kazakhstan, including former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, lawmakers and ambassadors in Kazakhstan.

Addressing the participants, Tokayev vowed to serve people "fairly", to abide by the laws and guarantee the rights and freedom of the citizens.

Tokayev, 66, was elected Kazakhstan’s president in an early election on June 9 by receiving 70.96% of the votes.

He had taken the reins as acting president a day after the resignation of Nursultan Nazarbayev in March and announced the oil-rich Central Asian country would hold early election June 9.

* Writing by Faruk Zorlu