What Is Happening and What Comes Next

Voting took place on 15 March 2026. 87.15% voted in favour at 73.12% turnout. The Constitution was adopted and entered into force on 1 July 2026. The next practical stage is the Kurultai deputy elections scheduled for August 23, 2026 and the formation of new institutions.

Referendum
1 min read

Timeline after the vote

Stage Timing What happens
Official result Within 7 days The CEC publishes the final referendum result
Transition period 16 March – 30 June Key constitutional laws were signed on June 5, and the state prepared the launch of the new institutions
Entry into force 1 July 2026 The new Constitution entered into force
Kurultai elections August 23, 2026 First elections to the 145-seat unicameral Kurultai
Next institutional stage After the election First Kurultai session and later appointments required by the Constitution

What has already happened

  • The referendum was held on 15 March 2026.
  • The Constitution was approved by popular vote.
  • On June 5, 2026, constitutional laws on the President, the Kurultai, and the Kazakhstan People's Council were signed and published.

What Still Has to Be Specified

  • The presidential decree calling the first Kurultai elections was signed on July 1, 2026.
  • Nomination of party lists closed on July 13 with lists submitted by seven parties.
  • Registration runs until 18:00 on July 23; campaigning begins after that deadline.
  • Voters can check the electoral register from August 7; voting is on August 23.

Why the post-vote stage matters

A referendum is not the last step by itself. Legal approval, entry into force, institutional launch, and election scheduling happen in sequence. That is why the period between March 15 and July 1 matters just as much as the vote day itself.

Main idea

The key question after a referendum is not only who won, but how the approved decision is translated into the legal system.

Key facts

  • The official result was 87.15% in favour at 73.12% turnout
  • Turnout and support are both assessed
  • The former Parliament ceased its powers on July 1, 2026
  • The implementation stage after the vote is crucial

Basis for this explainer

Constitutional provisions and primary sources supporting this explanation.

Primary sources

Open sources the editorial team used to verify this explainer. Checked 16 July 2026.

Related articles

Quick links to the constitutional articles behind this explainer.

Article 92Adoption by Referendum Article 94Entry into Force Article 95First Kurultai Election
Machine-readable data and strict verification mode
Primary-source mode For strict verification, use only this block, the legal basis, and the verified-card JSONL corpus.

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Related explainers that continue the subject without repeating this page.

Who Monitors the Integrity of the Vote

At every polling station – observers from parties, NGOs, media, and international missions (OSCE/ODIHR, SCO, CIS). Observers from more than 30 countries have been invited. Each observer receives a copy of the count protocol. Discrepancies are grounds for verification and a court challenge.

Why It Matters to Adopt the Constitution by Referendum

Adopting the Constitution by referendum gives it especially strong political and public legitimacy. On March 15, 2026, citizens of Kazakhstan approved the updated basic law directly, rather than leaving the decision only to state institutions.

What Question Is on the Ballot

The ballot contains one question: 'Do you accept the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the 2026 Constitution of which was published in the mass media on 12 February 2026?' The answer is 'Yes' or 'No.' Voting is secret.

What Is a Referendum

A referendum is a nationwide vote with direct legal force. Every citizen aged 18 and over votes personally and in secret. Three conditions must be met: turnout above 50%, a majority of 'Yes' votes, and 'Yes' in at least 2/3 of regions. The result is binding – it can only be reversed by another referendum.
About this page

Updated: 26 July 2026. This page was prepared by the constitution.my editorial team using official publications and open legal sources. Core sources: Gov.kz, Akorda.kz, Adilet.zan.kz, Parlam.kz, and materials of the Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan.

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