Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev's reelection bid became official Friday, as the ruling Nur Otan party nominated him as its candidate for the Apr. 3 presidential election.

"Today at this session, I agree to stand in polls for the post of president of Kazakhstan," Nazarbayev told the party's 13th session.

"I consider the decision to nominate me for presidency as support of my policies and I am sure that together we will win," the president added.

Nazarbayev also pledged to modernize the country's political system, including extending the powers of the parliament and government, and strengthening the role of political parties, legislative and judicial bodies. In addition, he promised to continue working for the good of the nation as long as his health allows.

In January, Kazakh lawmakers unanimously asked Nazarbayev to greenlight a referendum to extend his tenure, bypass elections originally due in 2012. But the president decided to call an early presidential election instead of a referendum.

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