Kazakhstan Schedules Constitutional Referendum for March 15, 2026

Referendum Set for March 15

Kazakhstan will hold a nationwide referendum on a new draft Constitution on March 15, 2026. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the decree on February 11, 2026, officially setting the date for the vote. The draft Constitution, which was presented to President Tokayev on February 11, has been described as a comprehensive overhaul of the country's basic law, with significant implications for its political structure and governance. The official referendum question will ask citizens: 'Do you accept the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the draft of which was published in the mass media on February 12, 2026?'

Background to the Constitutional Reset

The acceleration of this constitutional reset follows President Tokayev's 2025 State of the Nation Address, where he initially announced parliamentary reforms aimed at amending the 1995 Constitution. While a referendum was initially considered for 2027, the extensive scope of the proposed reforms led to discussions about adopting an entirely new constitution, prompting an earlier schedule. This current reform builds upon previous constitutional changes, including a major package of amendments approved in a June 2022 referendum. Those 2022 reforms reduced presidential powers, strengthened Parliament, and abolished the privileged constitutional status of the 'Elbasy' (Leader of the Nation), laying the groundwork for a 'New Kazakhstan'.

Key Proposed Changes and Their Impact

The new draft Constitution introduces several fundamental changes, affecting approximately 77 articles, which constitutes about 84 percent of the existing text. Key reforms include:

• A transition from a bicameral parliament to a unicameral legislature, to be known as the Kurultai, comprising 145 deputies. This aims to improve legislative efficiency and enhance political accountability.
• The establishment of a Vice President position, to be appointed by the President with parliamentary consent.
• Reinforcement of the existing limitation of the president to a single, non-renewable seven-year term.
• Changes in parliamentary oversight, requiring parliamentary consent for the appointment of members of the Constitutional Court, Supreme Audit Chamber, and Central Election Committee, and granting Parliament the authority to elect all Supreme Court judges.
• Consolidation of the principle of the supremacy of the Constitution of Kazakhstan over international treaties.
• Regarding language, the draft reaffirms Kazakh as the state language, while stating that Russian will be used 'along with' Kazakh in state bodies, a subtle adjustment from the previous 'on equal footing'.

Process and Presidential Vision

The drafting process involved a dedicated Working Group on Parliamentary Reform, established on October 8, 2025, which reviewed over 2,000 proposals from citizens and experts. Subsequently, a Constitutional Commission, comprising 130 members, was formed on January 21, 2026, to finalize the draft. President Tokayev has emphasized that the adoption of the new constitution 'will give a powerful impetus to the development of Kazakhstan and will help realize the potential of every citizen'. He stated that Kazakhstan is moving from a 'super-presidential form of government' to a 'presidential republic with an influential and authoritative parliament'. While officials highlight the strengthening of institutional checks and balances, some analyses suggest that the new draft may also expand presidential powers in certain areas, particularly concerning appointments and the ability to issue decrees if parliament is dissolved.