Kazakhstan to vote on a new Constitution
Political
Kazakhstan will hold a nationwide referendum on a new Constitution on March 15. The document proposes sweeping political reforms, including a shift to a single-chamber parliament and the creation of a vice-presidential institution.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a decree scheduling a nationwide referendum on the draft of a new Constitution for March 15, the presidential press service reported.
According to the decree, citizens will be asked: “Do you accept the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the draft of which was published in the mass media on February 12, 2026?”
The constitutional reform process began in September 2025, when Tokayev proposed transitioning to a single-chamber parliament. Initially, about 40 articles of the Constitution were expected to be amended, but the scope of changes later expanded significantly, effectively turning the process into the adoption of a new Constitution.
A special commission of more than 100 members, including lawmakers and government officials, was formed on January 21 to prepare the document. The draft Constitution was published on January 31.
Key ideas of the new document include the development of education and science, culture and innovation, as well as strengthening a “human-centered” approach to governance. Among the main changes are the creation of a single-chamber parliament and the introduction of a vice-president.
According to Tokayev, the new Constitution will закрепить the political system based on the formula “a strong president — an influential parliament — an accountable government.” He said the reform is intended to move the country away from a super-presidential model toward a presidential republic with a more authoritative parliament.
According to the decree, citizens will be asked: “Do you accept the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the draft of which was published in the mass media on February 12, 2026?”
The constitutional reform process began in September 2025, when Tokayev proposed transitioning to a single-chamber parliament. Initially, about 40 articles of the Constitution were expected to be amended, but the scope of changes later expanded significantly, effectively turning the process into the adoption of a new Constitution.
A special commission of more than 100 members, including lawmakers and government officials, was formed on January 21 to prepare the document. The draft Constitution was published on January 31.
Key ideas of the new document include the development of education and science, culture and innovation, as well as strengthening a “human-centered” approach to governance. Among the main changes are the creation of a single-chamber parliament and the introduction of a vice-president.
According to Tokayev, the new Constitution will закрепить the political system based on the formula “a strong president — an influential parliament — an accountable government.” He said the reform is intended to move the country away from a super-presidential model toward a presidential republic with a more authoritative parliament.
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