ALMATY (March 16): Kazakhstan voted 87.15% in favour of adopting a new Constitution, the Central Election Commission said on Monday. Voter turnout for the referendum stood at 73.12%, the commission said. The new Constitution streamlines the country's Parliament and recreates the office of vice-president, which was abolished in 1996. It gives the president the right to appoint the vice-president, as well as a host of other key officials. After voting in the capital Astana, Tokayev, asked whether the constitution would facilitate a coming transfer of power, said that the next presidential election would take place in 2029 when his term ends.

Source: The Edge Markets March 16, 2026 07:29 UTC