Kazakhstan approves referendum on constitutional reform

Dushanbe: (JTN) Kazakhstan approves referendum

A clear majority of voters in Kazakhstan voted in favor of constitutional reforms proposed by President Qasim Jomart Tokayev.

=Former head of state Nursultan Nazarbayev will lose some of his privileges

According to the Central Asian country’s election commission, 77% of voters voted in favor of the draft. As a result of these reforms, former head of state Nursultan Nazarbayev will lose some of his privileges. Nazarbayev, 81, resigned in 2019 after nearly three decades in power. However, his title of Leader of the Nation remained.

=Demonstrations against President Tokayev’s government took place in January

Violent demonstrations against President Tokayev’s government took place in January. The demonstrators reportedly had the backing of Nazarbayev. However, with the help of the Russian military, the protests were brought under control, with at least 230 people killed.