(12 February 2026 | Source: Telegram channel «Nege Aqsha»)
In Kazakhstan, the organisational parameters of the upcoming national referendum on the draft of the new Constitution have been disclosed. The Central Referendum Commission has announced the number of polling stations, the number of citizens included on the electoral roll, and the preliminary costs of holding the vote.
This concerns a large-scale campaign covering both the country's territory and polling stations abroad.
HOW MANY POLLING STATIONS WILL OPEN
According to the commission, a total of 10,413 referendum polling stations will operate.
Of these:
- 9,779 polling stations — at the place of registration of citizens;
- 634 polling stations — in places of temporary residence;
- 82 polling stations — in 64 countries abroad.
Thus, voting will be organised both within Kazakhstan and for citizens located outside the country.
According to the electronic register as of 1 January 2026, the rolls include 12,416,759 citizens of Kazakhstan.
HOW THE CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED
The Deputy Chairman of the Central Referendum Commission, Mukhtar Yerman, reported that the total duration of the campaign will be 32 days.
Key stages of preparation:
- On 22 February, local executive bodies begin forming voter lists and submit them to polling stations and in electronic form to the commission;
- from 27 February, citizens will be able to familiarise themselves with the lists;
- by 4 March, precinct commissions must notify voters of the place and time of voting;
- agitation takes place from 12 February until 00:00 on 14 March;
- 14 March is declared a day of silence;
- on voting day, polling stations will be open from 7:00 to 20:00 (unless territorial commissions set a different time);
- by 21 March, the commission must officially publish the results.
PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF EXPENDITURE
The Telegram channel Nege.Aqsha reports that 20.8 billion tenge is planned to be allocated for holding the referendum. The amount is preliminary and will be finalised by a Government decision.
Funding has not been provided for in the 2026 republican budget. The funds will be allocated from the Government reserve.
A member of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mikhail Bortnik, clarified that around 75% of the expenditure will be directed towards the remuneration of members of precinct commissions.
WHAT IS KNOWN PREVIOUSLY
On 11 February, it became known that the referendum on the new Constitution has been scheduled for 15 March 2026. The question to be put to the national referendum is:
"Do you accept the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the draft of which was published in the mass media on 12 February 2026?"