Kazakhstan votes in constitution referendum
Kazakhstan is voting on Sunday in a constitutional referendum presented by authorities as a means to democratize the first economy of Central Asia, despite amendments aimed at strengthening the control of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Since the deaths of 238 people in January 2022 during protests against the cost of living that escalated into riots, the president claims to want to build a “fair Kazakhstan” by liberalizing the political system.
Elected in 2019 after the surprise resignation of Nursultan Nazarbayev, who had been in power for three decades, Mr. Tokayev vows that with these reforms, “Kazakhstan is finally abandoning its super-presidential regime and moving towards a presidential republic with an influential Parliament.”
At 2 p.m. local time (9 a.m. GMT), 51.93% of the around 12.5 million voters had cast their votes in this economically strategic country which is a partner of the European Union but also an ally of Russia and China.
To achieve a 50% voter turnout, authorities mobilized famous sports stars and athletes, as well as workers from the mining and oil sectors, crucial areas for the Kazakh economy.
“A citizen of Kazakhstan must support Kazakh policy,” said Ashirbek Berdibekov, a 60-year-old logistician in favor of the new Constitution.
President Tokayev defends amendments that “will restructure the entire state system, allowing for a redistribution of powers, and strengthening the balance of the system of checks and balances.”
Despite multiple claims, several modifications suggest the opposite: the new Constitution will allow him to directly appoint heads of strategic institutions – the Central Bank, intelligence services, Constitutional Court – positions that previously required Senate approval.
If the new unicameral Parliament refuses twice to approve appointments to other positions, the leader can dissolve it and temporarily enact laws.
The freedom of expression, which is already tightly controlled, will now be limited further and ease restrictions on protests, which were already virtually nonexistent.
Human Rights Watch criticized these amendments, warning of excessive and unjustified restrictions on the freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
Observers believe the rushed constitutional changes are likely part of a carefully planned power transition, with Tokayev consolidating power for his successor and setting the stage for a controlled transfer of power.
The creation of the vice president position is among the key constitutional changes since the future vice president could be seen as Tokayev’s successor, who will be 73 and has promised not to run for reelection in 2029.
Published on March 15 at 10:43 a.m. by AFP.
