What a referendum is
The most direct form of democracy. Not a deputy deciding on your behalf – you decide yourself.
How it works:
- The state puts a question to a vote
- Every citizen aged 18 and over goes to a polling station
- They vote 'Yes' or 'No' – in secret, in person
- The result carries direct legal force
Three conditions for recognition
| Condition | Requirement | What happens if not met |
|---|---|---|
| Turnout | More than 50% of voters | The referendum is deemed not to have taken place |
| Majority | More than 50% of those who voted – 'Yes' | The decision is not adopted |
| Regional threshold | 'Yes' in ≥2/3 of regions, cities of republican significance, and the capital | The decision is not adopted |
All three conditions must be met simultaneously. If even one is not satisfied – the decision is not adopted.
Legal force
- The result is binding across the entire territory of Kazakhstan
- It can only be reversed by another referendum
- Neither the President, nor parliament, nor a court can review the result
Kazakhstan's referendums
| Year | Question | 'Yes' | Turnout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Adoption of the Constitution | 89% | 90% |
| 2022 | 56 amendments to the Constitution | 77% | 68% |
| 2026 | New Constitution | 15 March – voting is happening now | – |