Kazakhstan Prepares for Landmark Constitutional Referendum

Kazakhstan is gearing up for a nationwide referendum on proposed amendments to its Constitution, scheduled for March 15, 2026. The referendum represents a significant moment for the nation, aiming to modernize its legal framework and strengthen democratic processes. The projected cost of this crucial democratic exercise is estimated at 20.8 billion tenge (KZT), equivalent to approximately $42 million USD based on current exchange rates.

Photo: gov.kz

Budget Breakdown and Funding

Mikhail Bortnik, a member of the Central Election Commission (CEC), announced the estimated cost during a recent press briefing, as reported by The Caspian Post and The Times of Central Asia (TCA). While the budget is currently under review by the Ministry of Finance, the final figure will be confirmed shortly. Notably, the referendum expenses were not initially included in the country’s 2026 republican budget. Instead, the government intends to draw the necessary funds from its reserve.

A substantial 75% of the allocated budget will be dedicated to compensating members of precinct election commissions. These individuals play a vital role in administering and conducting the vote, ensuring a fair and transparent process.

Voter Eligibility and Polling Stations

According to CEC representative Azamat Aimanakumov, a total of 12,416,759 citizens are eligible to participate in the referendum. To facilitate widespread access to voting, authorities plan to establish 10,413 polling stations across the country.

• 9,779 polling stations will be located at voters’ registered places of residence.
• 634 temporary polling stations will be set up in convenient locations.
• 82 polling stations will be established abroad, spanning 64 countries, to enable overseas citizens to exercise their right to vote.

Key Dates and Timeline

Here’s a breakdown of the key dates leading up to the referendum:

• February 22: Polling station commissions will receive official voter lists.
• February 27 – March 4: Voters will be informed of their designated polling locations and voting times.
• March 12 – March 14: Ballots will be distributed to polling stations.
• March 14: A “day of silence” will be observed, prohibiting all campaigning activities.
• March 15, 2026: The referendum will take place.

International Observation

Kazakhstan is committed to ensuring the referendum is conducted in a transparent and democratic manner. To this end, invitations to observe the referendum have been extended to institutions in over 30 countries, including nations in Europe, America, Asia, and members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also issue separate invitations to international organizations.

The accreditation process for foreign observers will conclude on March 9, allowing ample time for their arrival and preparation. The draft of the new Constitution is publicly available on the website of Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Court.

Constitutional Changes and Implementation

In accordance with Article 94 of the proposed Constitution, if approved by voters, the new Constitution will come into effect on July 1, 2026, rendering the current Constitution obsolete.