Date of constitutional referendum announced - Tokayev signs decree

Tengrinews.kz – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a decree on holding a referendum on constitutional reform, according to Akorda.
According to the text of the decree, the referendum on constitutional reform in Kazakhstan will be held on 15 March. This is a Sunday.
On Thursday, 12 February, the draft of the new constitution will be published in the media.

“In accordance with subparagraph 10 of Article 44 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Article 18 of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan ‘On the National Referendum’ I HEREBY DECREE:
1. To hold a national referendum on 15 March 2026.
2. To submit to the national referendum the draft of the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the following wording of the question: ‘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?’
3. To officially publish this Decree and the draft Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the mass media on 12 February 2026.
4. To assign the preparation and conduct of the national referendum to the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which shall perform the functions of the Central Referendum Commission, as well as to the territorial and precinct election commissions, which shall perform the functions of territorial and precinct referendum commissions.
5. The Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan and other central state and local executive bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, shall take the necessary measures to organize and conduct the national referendum.
6. This Decree shall enter into force on the day of its publication,” the document states.

A referendum is a form of direct expression of will by citizens (nationwide vote) on the most important issues of state, regional or local significance. Through a referendum, laws are adopted, amendments are made to the Constitution, or key political issues are decided. Decisions adopted at a referendum usually have binding force.
The day before, members of the Constitutional Commission presented to President Tokayev the results of their work on the draft of the new Constitution of the country.
In the Head of State’s view, the provisions of the new Constitution mark the completion of the process of transforming the institutional foundations of Kazakhstan and the transition to an entirely new constitutional model.
The President also emphasized that the draft of the new Basic Law not only reflects current public values and principles of state policy, but also lays the long-term foundations for the further progressive development of Kazakhstan.
Constitutional reform in Kazakhstan
The Commission on Constitutional Reform (the Constitutional Commission) was established by Presidential decree on 21 January 2026. Its task is to develop proposals for carrying out constitutional reform.
Earlier, the President explained that initially, within the framework of parliamentary reform, it was planned to amend about 40 articles of the Constitution. But in the course of the work it turned out that many more amendments would be needed.
On 29 January, during the fifth meeting of the Constitutional Commission, the Chairman of the Republican Bar Association, Madi Myrzagaraev, proposed considering the issue of adopting a new Constitution of Kazakhstan. His proposal was supported by other members of the Commission.
On 30 January, at the Volunteers Forum in Astana, the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke about the new Constitution. The President stressed that any changes to the Constitution must be introduced through a referendum.