Kazakhstanis are voting Sunday on a series of constitutional changes that critics say will further consolidate power in the hands of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, despite official claims the reforms are intended to modernize the political system. The referendum marks the third constitutional shift for the country since gaining independence.
The proposed amendments come less than four years after a previous set of constitutional changes were approved, and follow violent unrest in January 2022 – often referred to as “Bloody January” – that resulted in 238 deaths and exposed widespread public discontent. The government has framed the current changes as a move away from “super-presidential rule,” but analysts express skepticism about the extent of genuine democratization.
The draft constitution, prepared without broad public consultation or input from independent civil society groups, could lead to greater restrictions on fundamental rights, according to Amnesty International. The organization warned the changes represent “an alarming rollback of human rights protections and the rule of law,” and a “blatant attempt to concentrate presidential power.” Specifically, the proposed constitution includes overly broad definitions of “constitutional order” and “public morality” that could be used to justify limiting freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
The referendum also defines marriage as solely between a man and a woman, further enshrining discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, whose rights were already curtailed by a law enacted in December 2025 banning so-called “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations.”
The campaign leading up to the vote has been dominated by state-sponsored endorsements, including prominent figures like Olympic gold medalist Mikhail Shaidorov, a figure skater who recently won gold at the Winter Olympic Games. Billboards across the country feature Shaidorov and other celebrities promoting the constitutional changes. This imbalance in messaging has raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the process, with limited space for dissenting voices.
Although the proposed changes include a move towards a unicameral parliament, intended to modernize the political system and introduce stronger checks and balances, some observers believe this is largely symbolic. The groundwork for Tokayev’s continued leadership was laid in 2022 with the introduction of single, seven-year presidential terms, suggesting the current referendum is a continuation of that trend rather than a genuine attempt to dilute presidential authority.
The referendum is being held under the framework of Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Law No. 2592 “On Republican Referendum,” which regulates such votes. As of Saturday, March 14, 2026, the government has not responded to requests for comment regarding concerns about the potential for diminished democratic standards.
