View of Nur-Sultan. File photoNUR-SULTAN, June 5 Turnout at the constitutional referendum in Kazakhstan at 10 am (07.00 Moscow time) was 28.59%, said Sabila Mustafina, a member of the Central Election Commission of the republic. Kazakhstanis on Sunday vote on the issue of making changes in the country's constitution, aimed at reducing presidential powers, strengthening other branches of government and increasing the role of citizens in the process of government. The Central Electoral Commission reported that 11,722,536 people have the right to vote in the referendum.
"According to the data provided by the election commissions of regional, cities of republican significance and the capital, as of 10:00 on June 5, 2022, 28.59% of the total number of voters included in the lists received ballots", Mustafina said on briefing at the CEC.
She explained that 26.63% of voters received ballots in Akmola region, 25.62% in Aktobe region, 28.53% in Almaty region, 29.87% in Atyrau region, 32.20% in West Kazakhstan region, and 32.16% in Zhambyl region. %, Karaganda — 33.56%, Kostanay — 30.14%, Kyzylorda region — 28.87%, Mangystau — 23.67%, Pavlodar — 33.14%, North Kazakhstan — 34.17%, Turkestan — 33 .15% and in East Kazakhstan — 29.88%. In Nur-Sultan, ballots were issued to 24.18% of voters, in Alma-Ata — 13.91% and Shymkent — 34.19%. In general, according to her data, 3,351,425 Kazakhstanis have already taken part in the voting. The President of Kazakhstan previously stated that the coup attempt that took place in January 2022 confirmed the need for an early political modernization of the country, in connection with which amendments to the basic law were submitted to a referendum. «/>Tokayev voted in a referendum on amendments to the constitution of KazakhstanThe amendments are designed to consolidate the final transition from a super-presidential form of government to a presidential republic with an influential parliament and an accountable government. To this end, the amendments reduce the excessive concentration of presidential powers. In particular, the participation of the head of state in the formation of the upper house of parliament is reduced, his influence on local representative and executive bodies is limited. In addition, a ban is established on the head of state's membership in political parties for the period of the presidency. Similar requirements will apply to chairmen and members of the CEC, the counting committee, heads of regions and their deputies. The amendments also prohibit close relatives of the head of state from occupying leadership positions in state and quasi-state structures. A number of amendments are aimed at respecting the rights and freedoms of citizens, including the creation of a constitutional court, the consolidation of the status of an ombudsman at the constitutional level and an unconditional ban on the death penalty. In addition, the updated constitution will remove references to the status, powers, and privileges of the country's first president. status