# Myth: “Everything changes the next day after the referendum”

> No. Citizens voted on March 15, the key laws were signed on June 5, and the Constitution entered into force on 1 July 2026. The legal system does not transform overnight: elections, decrees, and institutional launch follow in sequence.

Canonical URL: https://constitution.my/p/referendum-myth-change-next-day?lang=en
Language: en
Updated: 2026-07-26

Section: Myths

## Why this myth appears

A referendum can look like a one-day switch. But constitutional change works through a sequence of legal and institutional steps.

## The actual calendar

| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| **15 March 2026** | Referendum and approval of the new Constitution |
| **16 March – 30 June** | Transition period: the state keeps operating under the 1995 framework while preparing the launch of the new model |
| **5 June 2026** | Key constitutional laws on the President, the Kurultai, and the Kazakhstan People's Council are signed |
| **1 July 2026** | The new Constitution entered into force |
| **August 23, 2026** | Kurultai deputy elections |

## Why it takes time

- State institutions continued to function without a legal vacuum; Parliament under the 1995 model ceased its powers on July 1.
- The presidential decree and CEC calendar have now been published; voting is scheduled for August 23.
- Ordinary legislation must be aligned with the new Constitution over time.

## Main idea

The referendum is the point of approval, not the final operational step. Legal entry into force, elections, and institutional launch happen one after another.

## Key Facts

- The referendum took place on 15 March 2026, and the Constitution entered into force on 1 July 2026
- Key constitutional laws were signed on 5 June 2026
- Kurultai deputy elections are scheduled for August 23, 2026
- Existing institutions continued during the March 16 – June 30 transition period; the former Parliament ceased its powers on July 1
- Implementation is gradual rather than immediate

## Checked sources

- [Preliminary official results of the March 15, 2026 national referendum](https://election.gov.kz/rus/news/releases/index.php?ID=10110) – Central Referendum Commission of Kazakhstan (checked 2026-07-16)
- [Official publication of the 2026 Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan](https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/K2600000000) – Adilet Legal Information System (checked 2026-07-16)
- [Official constitutional documents](https://www.akorda.kz/ru/official_documents/constitution) – Akorda (checked 2026-07-16)

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Source: https://constitution.my/p/referendum-myth-change-next-day?lang=en
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