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Kazakhstan announces final results of referendum on new Constitution - UPDATED

16 March 2026 12:55 (UTC +04:00)

The final results of the nationwide referendum held on March 15 on the draft of the new Constitution in Kazakhstan have been announced, APA’s correspondent sent to Astana reports.

According to the information announced at a briefing held by the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan, 87.15% of citizens who participated in the referendum supported the draft of the new Constitution. In total, 7,954,667 people voted in favor of adopting the new version of the fundamental law.

At the same time, 9.83% of voters, or 898,099 people, voted against the proposed document.

In addition, more than 146,000 ballots were declared invalid.

According to the commission, voter turnout in the referendum amounted to 73.1%. Under Kazakhstan’s legislation, at least half of registered voters must participate in order for the referendum to be considered valid.

Recall that within the framework of the referendum, citizens were asked one question: “Do you accept the draft of the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan published in the mass media on February 12, 2026?”

The draft of the new Constitution, prepared at the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, envisages a number of changes in the country’s political governance system.

According to the document, Kazakhstan plans to transition from a bicameral parliament system to a unicameral parliament model. It is also envisaged that deputies will be elected only on the basis of party lists, and the institution of self-nomination will be abolished.

The project also provides for the creation of a new advisory body with legislative initiative rights – the People’s Council. As previously reported, the body is expected to include 126 members appointed by the president.

In addition, the draft Constitution envisages the establishment of the post of vice president, with the appointment to this position to be carried out by the head of state. At the same time, the president will be granted the authority to make appointments to key positions in the state governance system without the approval of parliament.

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11:30

The preliminary results of the referendum on the new constitution draft held in Kazakhstan have been announced, APA’s correspondent dispatched to Astana reports, citing the press service of the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan.

According to the information, the overwhelming majority of citizens who participated in the referendum supported the new constitution draft.

“The number of citizens who voted in favor of the issue put to the referendum was 7,954,667 people, or 87.15 percent,” the statement said.

It was noted that the overall voter turnout in the referendum stood at 73 percent.

Recall that the nationwide referendum on the new constitution draft in Kazakhstan was held on March 15. The referendum is considered an important stage in the country’s political and institutional development.