ASTANA — Kazakhstan held a nationwide referendum on a draft new Constitution. Voter turnout reached 73.24%, with 86.7% of participants supporting the updated basic law according to exit poll data. Official results were confirmed by Kazakhstan's Central Election Commission and international observers from the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The document reorganizes the political system: a unicameral parliament — the Kurultai — is introduced, presidential powers to appoint the Prosecutor General, judges, and the head of the National Security Committee are expanded, and the position of Vice President is established. The reform responds to the January 2022 events, when mass protests shook the country. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev initiated constitutional changes as part of his "Listening State" course.
The social section defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, while state services are described as "not paid for by citizens." The legal section expands possibilities for introducing special legal regimes in regions, strengthens oversight of NGOs and foreign funding. While maintaining the ban on censorship, restrictions on spreading propaganda are broadened. The document also clarifies detention guarantees, enhances personal data protection in the digital environment, but expands grounds for limiting citizens' rights.
OSCE observers noted high turnout but expressed concern about restrictions on freedom of assembly and expression. Russia and Central Asian countries welcomed the reform as a step toward stabilization. Western partners called for ensuring democratic principles are implemented in practice.
This is the first constitutional referendum in independent Kazakhstan's history since 1995. The previous edition had been in force for over 30 years. Experts note that the changes mark a transition from the model of first President Nursultan Nazarbayev to a new political system.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
March 16, 2026