President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at a polling station in Nur-Sultan. File photoNUR-SULTAN, June 5President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev voted in a referendum on amendments to the constitution, RIA Novosti correspondent reports. The head of state made his choice in Nur-Sultan at polling station No. 59, located in the new «Schoolchildren's Palace». Amendments to the constitution to be put to a referendum were developed in pursuance of a plan for political reforms proposed by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The amendments are intended 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
