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Kazakhstan: Electoral Commission Announces Approval of New Constitution

Published March 16, 2026, 12:10
Kazakhstan: Electoral Commission Announces Approval of New Constitution

87.15% of voters in Kazakhstan approved the new Constitution, according to the central electoral commission. Voter turnout in the referendum reached 73.12%. The new Constitution aims to improve the efficiency of the country's Parliament and re-establishes the position of vice president, which was abolished in 1996. It gives the president the power to appoint the vice president, as well as other officials. The rapid process of adopting the Constitution has led some analysts to speculate that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev may be seeking to nominate a successor as vice president and step down earlier from office, or to remain with a new Constitution that will redefine the limits of his term. Tokayev stated that the next presidential elections will be held in 2029, when his term expires.