Kazakhstan has begun voting in a referendum on a new constitution

Voting in a referendum on the adoption of a new constitution has started in Kazakhstan. This was reported on March 15 by the Kazakhstan Today (KT) agency.

"A referendum on a new constitution is being held in Kazakhstan on March 15. As of 7:00 a.m. (5:00 a.m. Moscow time), 10,388 polling stations were open. Voting began at 6:00 a.m. (4:00 a.m. Moscow time) at 92 polling stations. The lists of citizens eligible to participate in the referendum include 12,461,796 people," the publication says.

It is specified that polling stations will be open until 20:00 local time (18:00 Moscow time). Citizens over the age of 18 who are included in the voter lists have the right to vote in Kazakhstan.

What is the essence of political reforms in Kazakhstan? Analysis

The final text of the new constitution of Kazakhstan was published on February 12 for citizens' review in the newspaper Egemen Kazakstan. It was noted that if the new basic law is adopted, it will enter into force on July 1, 2026. In addition, the term for the president will remain the same (seven years). Also on February 9, it became known that the wording on the use of the Russian language in state organizations and local governments would change in the draft of the new constitution.

On March 12, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev denied information that the status of the Russian language in the draft of the new constitution of Kazakhstan would be lowered. He also urged not to throw tantrums about the allegedly belittled status of the Kazakh language, stressing that young people are quite capable of speaking three or four languages.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.