March 15, New Delhi: Voting began on Sunday in Kazakhstan for a referendum on a new constitution that critics say could allow President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to remain in control of Central Asia's largest economy beyond his current term limit of 2029.
Tokayev, a former diplomat who has maintained close relations with Russia, the United States, and China, described the referendum as a "truly historic moment" that would move Kazakhstan away from a super-presidential system towards greater separation of powers.
The proposed reforms include merging the two chambers of parliament into a single legislature and restoring the position of vice-president, which was abolished in 1996. Under the proposal, the vice-president would be appointed by the president.
Kazakh presidents would continue to be limited to a single seven-year term, a reform introduced by Tokayev in 2022. Tokayev has said he will step down in 2029, but some observers believe the new constitution could reset his term limit. Similar constitutional changes have been used by leaders in other former Soviet republics, including Vladimir Putin of Russia.