MOSCOW (AP) — Voters within the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan have given overwhelming approval to proposed constitutional modifications extensively seen as an try and repudiate the legacy of former strongman Nursultan Nazarbayev, who led the ex-Soviet republic for 3 many years.
Kazakhstan’s Central Election Fee stated Monday that 77% of voters supported the constitutional amendments in Sunday’s referendum, in accordance with preliminary outcomes, whereas slightly below 19% voted towards them and about 2.6% of ballots had been discovered invalid. The turnout was 68%.
The vote was referred to as by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who has steadily strengthened his grip on energy after violent demonstrations in January left greater than 230 individuals lifeless. The protests had been sparked by a steep rise in gas costs, however in addition they mirrored vast public discontent with a stagnant economic system and authoritarian authorities.
Sunday’s referendum included particular questions on modifications like prohibiting the demise penalty and banning some officers from becoming a member of political events. However it was broadly about assist for Tokayev’s general course.
Tokayev moved methodically to sideline Nazarbayev, who had led Kazakhstan as its communist boss after which president after 1991 Soviet collapse. Nazarbayev stepped down in 2019, however had continued to carry highly effective positions as head of the ruling celebration and the nation’s nationwide safety council till January’s unrest.
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Tokayev changed him as safety council head through the unrest, by which many demonstrators chanted “outdated man out,” referring to the 81-year-old former president. Later in January, Tokayev additionally took helm of the ruling celebration.
In March, Tokayev vowed political reforms, together with lowering the ability of the presidency and strengthening parliament. He additionally referred to as for lowering authorities involvement within the economic system, and attempting to bridge the hole between wealthy and poor.
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