IPA CIS Observes Constitutional Referendum Kazakhstan

On 13 March 2026 in Astana a meeting took place between international observers from the IPA CIS and Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Maulen Ashimbaev. Participants discussed issues of preparation for the republican referendum on the adoption of a new Constitution and its significance for the development of the political system and institutions of state authority in the country. Maulen Ashimbaev informed members of the monitoring group about the organisation of the nationwide referendum, noting that systematic work on preparing constitutional transformations has been conducted in Kazakhstan since 2019.

Also on 13 March the Group of international observers from the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS visited the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan and met with Chair of the Judicial Chamber for Administrative Cases Aslan Tukiyev. At the meeting issues of organising the work of courts during preparation and conduct of the republican referendum, activity of judicial authority in accordance with the draft new Constitution, and protection of citizens’ rights in the digital space were discussed. Aslan Tukiyev noted that courts promptly consider citizens’ appeals related to civic expression of will. To ensure an operational response, a work schedule for all courts, including the Supreme Court, has been set.

On the same day Coordinator of the group of international observers from the IPA CIS, Deputy Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ziyafet Askerov, and Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council Dmitrıy Kobitskiy discussed the progress of preparation for the constitutional referendum in Kazakhstan with Chair of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Erlan Koshanov. The head of the lower chamber of Parliament spoke about the essence of the proposed amendments, including how the reform of the legislative branch will affect further democratic development of Kazakhstan if the draft new Constitution is approved by Kazakh citizens. Dmitriy Kobitskiy explained how the work of international observers is organised in Kazakhstan, emphasising that for monitoring voting all parliaments participating in IPA CIS sent their representatives.

On 14 March international observers from the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS held a meeting. MPs and experts outlined a work plan for voting day. The working meeting was opened by Dmitriy Kobitskiy, who noted that observers from IPA CIS take part in monitoring by invitation of Minister Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev. The Coordinator of the group is Ziyafet Askerov, and the observation includes MPs and senators from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as officials of the IPA CIS and experts from the International Institute for Monitoring Democracy Development, Parliamentarianism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens of the IPA CIS Member Nations (IPA CIS IIMDD). Short‑term monitoring is underway in Kazakhstan and at overseas polling stations in Commonwealth countries. Deputy Head of the IPA CIS Council Secretariat – Director of the International Institute for Monitoring the Democracy Development, Parliamentarianism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens of IPA CIS Member Nations (IPA CIS IIMDD), Doctor of Law, Professor Ivan Mushket reported that experts of the institute analysed Kazakhstan’s legislation relating to the referendum and concluded that it meets international standards. The group also received a brief report on results of long‑term monitoring of referendum preparation conducted by the institute.

Also on 14 March a meeting took place between international observers from the IPA CIS and Chair of Constitutional Court of the Republic of  Kazakhstan Elvira Azimova, during which principles of work of the Commission on constitutional reform, mechanisms for ensuring neutrality and main provisions of the updated Constitution submitted to nationwide voting were discussed. A meeting was held between international observers from the IPA CIS and leadership of the Ministry Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan headed by Deputy Minister Yermukhambet Konyspaev, at which key aspects of monitoring the upcoming constitutional referendum and prospects for further cooperation were discussed.

The IPA CIS monitoring group met with Chair of the Central Referendum Commission in the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurlan Abdirov, who provided observers with detailed information on work carried out by the Central Commission in preparation for nationwide voting. About 12 million voters are registered in Kazakhstan and more than 10 thousand polling stations, including overseas stations, were open. For Kazakh citizens arriving from abroad who are not registered on specific territory, more than 200 stations were organised where they could vote using their documents. Observers from the IPA CIS monitored the constitutional referendum in Astana, Akmola Region and at overseas polling stations in nine countries. Members of the group began work with the opening of polling stations, paying attention to ensuring ballot secrecy and free expression of will of voters. In addition, observers assessed conditions created at polling stations for citizens with disabilities. Members of the monitoring group were present during opening of ballot boxes and counting of votes.

On 15 March Coordinator of the group of international observers from the IPA CIS Ziyafet Askerov, and Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council Dmitriy Kobitskiy began monitoring at polling station No. 128 in Astana. Observers recorded that the station opened on time, commission members were in place, and necessary informational materials for voters were prepared. On 16 March the observer mission summarised results of monitoring the referendum on adoption of the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, concluding that the legislation of Kazakhstan contains guarantees of free and open nationwide voting and provides for public oversight of stages of preparation and conduct. Observers noted organisation and transparency of voting process and emphasised that necessary conditions for monitoring international observers were provided. Observers concluded that the referendum was held at a high organisational level, in full accordance with legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and that state authorities and referendum commissions ensured citizens the opportunity of free expression of will. Results of the observation were presented by Head of the observer mission of the CIS, Deputy Secretary General Igor Petrishenko.

Also on 16 March in Astana a cooperation agreement was signed between the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS and Institute of Legislation and Legal Information of Kazakhstan. The document was signed by Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council Dmitriy Kobitskiy and Director of the Institute of Legislation and Legal Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Indira Abubakirova, who emphasised that model documents are actively used in Kazakhstan in law preparation.

On 18 March the Conclusion of international observers from IPA CIS on results of the referendum in Kazakhstan was published. The republican referendum on adoption of the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan took place on 15 March 2026 with 87.15% of citizens voting “for”. The Conclusion analyses the country’s legislation regulating conduct of republican referendums, plebiscite administration, campaign period and complaint handling, and data obtained from long‑term and short‑term monitoring, and concluded that:

• legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan ensured conduct of the republican referendum on adoption of the new Constitution;
• that the Central Commission organised preparation and conduct of the referendum campaign at a high level;
• that public associations and citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan were provided equal opportunities for campaigning; that mass media of the Republic of Kazakhstan covered all stages of preparation and conduct, informing citizens about main provisions of the draft new Constitution and procedure for participation in voting;
• and that state authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan fully ensured status of international observers and provided necessary assistance in exercising their powers.

Monitoring of the constitutional referendum in Kazakhstan was carried out by 58 observers from the IPA CIS — MPs and senators, representatives of parliaments of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, officials of the IPA CIS and experts of the International Institute for Monitoring Democracy Development, Parliamentarianism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens of the IPA CIS Member Nations.