Kazakhstan backs constitutional amendments in referendum — remove Nazarbayev and strengthen parliamentʼs role

Author:
Oleksiy Yarmolenko
Date:

Kazakhstan held a referendum on June 5 to amend the Constitution. According to the Central Election Committee (CEC), more than 77% of Kazakhs voted in favor of amendments to the countryʼs main law.

This was reported by Interfax.

"77.18% of voters voted for a positive decision on the referendum, and 18.66% for a negative decision," CEC head Nurlan Abdyrov said at a briefing.

Turnout was over 68%, meaning that about 11 million Kazakhs took part in the vote.

What changes the referendum?

In a referendum in Kazakhstan, President Kasim-Zhomart Tokayev raised one question — whether citizens support the proposed changes to the Constitution. These changes include 56 amendments to almost a third of the various articles of the Constitution. Tokayev explained that the Constitution was being changed in response to the massive January protests in the country, which were subject to many political demands.

The amendments stipulate that the Constitution will completely remove references to the first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, as the founder of independent Kazakhstan, as well as his special status. In addition, the president is prohibited from being a member of political parties, he must be equidistant from all political movements in Kazakhstan, and his immediate family may not hold top government positions.

In addition, parliamentary reform is envisaged, including the transition to a mixed electoral system. 70% of the parliament will be elected by the proportional system and 30% — by the majority. Non-partisan citizens will also be able to run for parliament. This will lead to the transition of Kazakhstan from a super-presidential republic to a presidential one with a strong parliament.

The country will also resume the work of the Constitutional Court, introduce the post of ombudsman, and ban the death penalty at the legislative level.