15 March Kazakhstan held a nationwide referendum on adopting a new version of the Constitution. After the exit poll results were announced, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that this date would be celebrated annually as Constitution Day.
According to exit polls, the majority of citizens supported the constitutional reform. Turnout, according to the Central Referendum Commission, stood at 73.24%.
NEW CONSTITUTION RECEIVED MAJORITY SUPPORT
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made a statement after the results of the nationwide referendum exit polls were announced. According to him, the country's citizens supported the constitutional reform and chose to renew the state.
The head of state noted that 15 March would be celebrated annually as Constitution Day, emphasising the historical significance of the vote that had taken place.
According to sociological research, the majority of referendum participants supported the new version of the basic law:
- Eurasian Integration Institute — 86.7% of votes 'yes';
- Institute of Comprehensive Social Research 'Sociс-A' — 87.4%;
- Institute of Public Policy of the AMANAT party — 88.6%.
According to the Central Referendum Commission, 9,126,850 citizens took part in the vote, which constitutes 73.24% of those included on the electoral rolls.
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For reference: Exit poll — a sociological survey of voters leaving polling stations after casting their ballot. The margin of error for such surveys is usually 1.5–3%.
PRESIDENT MEETS YOUTH ACTIVISTS
After the referendum, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met at the Kazmedia Ortaghygy studio with representatives of youth organisations who had taken part in the campaigning.
The President highlighted the role of young people in the public campaign and noted that the new Constitution is also oriented towards the younger generation. According to him, areas such as volunteering, science, innovation and artificial intelligence have been included in the basic law.
Those who took part in the meeting included:
- Chairperson of the Zhasar Rukhy organisation, Akerke Iskendirova;
- Entrepreneur and representative of the creative industry Kamil Bayramov;
- Activists Yerzhan Khamitov and Nurbol Serikbai.
According to meeting participants, they held around 5,000 events over the course of the month, which were attended by more than 1.5 million citizens.
The President also stated that further political work lies ahead for the country, including parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for the summer.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE REFORM
The head of state stated that the nationwide referendum was conducted openly and in accordance with the law.
According to him, both domestic and international observers noted adherence to democratic procedures during the vote.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasised that the new Constitution should serve as a guide for the country's further development and the foundation of the state structure.
'The new Constitution is the foundation of our Independence and Sovereignty. The basic law is an inviolable guarantee of human rights and freedoms,' the President declared.
He also noted that the citizens' support for the reform was evidence of public unity and responsibility for the future of the state.
REFERENDUM TURNOUT BY REGION
According to the Central Referendum Commission, nationwide turnout stood at 73.24%.
After the vote concluded, precinct commissions began counting the ballots. According to legislation, the counting procedure must not exceed 12 hours.
It is expected that at 11:00 on 16 March 2026, the Central Referendum Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan will announce the preliminary results of the vote. Following this, representatives of the CIS observer mission and delegations from foreign electoral bodies will speak.