(11 February 2026 | Source: Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan)
A nationwide referendum on the adoption of a new Constitution has been called in Kazakhstan. Citizens will be able to take part in the vote on 15 March 2026, and the draft law will be published on 12 February. The preparation and conduct of the referendum will be ensured by the Central Election Commission and local electoral bodies.
Thus, the discussion of the draft law moves into the stage of a nationwide decision.
ON WHAT BASIS WAS THE VOTE CALLED
The decision was made in accordance with subparagraph 10) of Article 44 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as Article 18 of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On the National Referendum".
The Decree sets the date of the vote as 15 March 2026. The document comes into force on the date of its official publication.
WORDING OF THE QUESTION
The question 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?".
Background of the document
Work on the document has been underway for about six months. The draft has been published on the official website of the Constitutional Court. It was previously reported that the new version of the basic law provides for changes in the structure of the state system and an expansion of constitutional guarantees of the rights and freedoms of citizens.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING THE REFERENDUM
The preparation and conduct of the vote has been assigned to the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which performs the functions of the Central Referendum Commission, as well as to territorial and precinct election commissions.
The Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with the Central Election Commission and other central state and local executive bodies, has been tasked with taking the necessary measures for the organisation and conduct of the referendum.