Referendum on new Constitution declared valid
The Central Referendum Commission has released preliminary results of the Constitutional Referendum, Qazinform News Agency reports.
Voting counting concluded on March 16 at 08:00 am,.
According to the Commission, voter turnout reached 73.12%, with 9,127,192 citizens casting their ballots.
Preliminary data shows that 7,954,667 people supported the adoption of the proposed constitutional amendments, representing 87.15% of voters.
Meanwhile, 898,099 voted against the amendments, and 146,558 ballots were declared invalid.
Regional breakdown of support for constitutional amendments:
- Abai region - 84.02%.
- Akmola region - 85.64%.
- Aktobe refion - 93.96%.
- Almaty region - 80.41%.
- Atyrau region - 78.81%.
- West Kazakhstan region - 81.41%.
- Zhambyl region - 92.73%.
- Zhetysu region - 90.15%.
- Karaganda region - 83.82%.
- Kostanay region - 89.74%.
- Kyzylorda region - 89.97%.
- Mangystau region - 93.40%.
- Pavlodar region - 94.14%.
- North Kazakhstan region - 83.10%.
- Turkistan region - 92.21%.
- Ulytau region - 83.73%.
- East Kazakhstan region - 91.51%.
- Astana - 86.32%.
- Almaty - 71.36%.
- Shymkent - 86.88%.
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Tokayev Signs Laws on Teachers’ Status, Child Protection and Anti-Corruption Measures
Images | Akorda
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a package of laws introducing amendments in the areas of education, healthcare, child protection, teachers’ status, and anti-corruption policy.
According to the Akorda presidential press service, the head of state signed the law "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Issues of Teachers’ Status, Education, Healthcare and Child Protection," as well as the law "On Amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Issues of Teachers’ Status."
The new provisions stipulate that teachers will be responsible for students only during the educational process. At the same time, parents’ responsibility for the life, health and safety of their children is being expanded.
The legislation also prohibits teachers from maintaining duplicate reporting systems in both paper and electronic formats. In addition, unified rules for the use of mobile devices in secondary education institutions are being introduced. The measures also provide for greater involvement of schoolchildren in scientific activities at the local government level.
The law further establishes a legal framework aimed at creating favourable conditions for the effective operation of leading foreign universities in Kazakhstan. Branch campuses will be allowed to operate provided they comply with Kazakhstan’s state educational standards.
A separate set of amendments is focused on improving the higher education system. The reforms introduce an integrated medical education model consisting of six years of university study followed by one year of full internship training. Upon completion, graduates will be eligible to begin medical practice, with the internship serving as a stage of clinical training.
Tokayev also signed the law "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Anti-Corruption Issues."
The adopted measures introduce criminal liability not only for giving and receiving bribes, but also for promising, offering or soliciting a bribe. Penalties are being strengthened for unlawful remuneration in state organisations and quasi-public sector entities, while administrative liability for legal entities involved in corruption offences is also being increased.
In addition, the statute of limitations for administrative corruption offences committed by individuals has been extended from one year to three years. Restrictions on individuals convicted of corruption crimes have also been clarified, including a lifetime ban on employment in positions involving the performance of state functions.
The legislation further prohibits civil servants and individuals with equivalent status from using their official powers for personal gain. It also introduces mandatory declarations of personal interests and establishes clear procedures for addressing conflicts of interest.
Restrictions on the employment of relatives and affiliated persons within the same public service structures have been tightened. These restrictions will apply not only to cases of direct subordination, but also to situations involving indirect influence, personnel oversight and internal control functions. In particular, relatives of senior officials - including nephews, sons-in-law and other close family members by marriage - will be prohibited from working within the same government agency.
The scope of anti-corruption restrictions has also been expanded. The new provisions will now apply to employees of the quasi-public sector and participants in projects financed through the state budget and Kazakhstan’s National Fund.
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Children Sent 167,000 Reports of Rights Violations Through QR-111 Service
Images | Akorda
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Children's Rights Commissioner Dinara Zakieva, who reported that between October 2024 and June 2026, the QR-111 service received 167,000 messages and 4,523 phone calls from children.
According to Zakieva, the introduction of QR-111 codes in schools has helped establish direct communication with children and identify cases involving violations of their rights. The information is received through the state-run contact centre 111.
The commissioner also briefed the president on the implementation of the "Children of Kazakhstan" concept, adopted earlier this year. Based on the concept, a five-year action plan has been developed, containing 158 measures aimed at strengthening social support and legal protection for children. The document covers healthcare, education, social protection, and child safety.
Zakieva reported that regional child rights protection departments have been established under local administrations, with their functions now enshrined in legislation. Organisational procedures for launching the new units are currently underway.
In addition, monitoring was carried out in nine regions of the country in 2026 to assess the effectiveness of measures designed to promote children's psychological well-being and prevent violations of their rights.
The commissioner also outlined the work of psychological support centres and the introduction of a unified programme for assessing children's psychological well-being. According to Zakieva, this has made it possible to provide systematic support to children requiring special attention.
The meeting also addressed the development of child-related infrastructure, including in rural areas, as well as measures to support parents and strengthen their responsibility for ensuring children's safety.
President Tokayev stressed the importance of close cooperation between the Children's Rights Commissioner, the government, and local executive authorities to ensure the effective implementation of the "Children of Kazakhstan" concept.
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UN Regional Centre in Kazakhstan: Criteria for Selecting Projects Revealed
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A United Nations Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan is set to begin operations in Kazakhstan. The criteria that will be used to select projects implemented by the centre were outlined by Kazakhstan's Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev during a Senate session.
The focus will primarily be on regional projects. Through synergy and coordination of the strategic development plans of each individual state, the UN Centre will implement relevant projects in participating countries. These projects will cover economic, social, and environmental areas, and each country will develop a comprehensive cooperation plan based on these priorities," Ashikbayev said.
He stressed that all programmes would be implemented in accordance with the strict requirements of the United Nations. In addition, the centre will provide annual reports on implemented projects, as well as on its financial position and the use of allocated funds.
Earlier on Thursday, the Senate of Kazakhstan's Parliament approved the law "On the Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations on the Establishment of the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan."
The centre will focus on expanding technical assistance, facilitating the exchange of expertise and analytical support, and strengthening cooperation between Kazakhstan, the United Nations, and the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan.
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Kazakhstan's Parliament Approves Amnesty Law Following Adoption of New Constitution
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Kazakhstan's Senate has approved the law "On Amnesty in Connection with the Adoption of the New Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan," an agency correspondent reports.
According to the explanatory note accompanying the bill, individuals who committed criminal misdemeanours and minor offences, as well as those convicted of medium-gravity crimes that did not result in damages, or where damages have been fully compensated, or where no civil claim has been filed, will be eligible for release from criminal liability or from serving their principal sentence.
For other individuals convicted of medium-gravity offences, the remaining unserved or unenforced portion of their principal sentence will be reduced by one half.
For those convicted of serious and especially serious crimes, the remaining unserved or unenforced portion of their sentences will be reduced as follows:
- By one third for those convicted of serious crimes and by one quarter for those convicted of especially serious crimes, provided that all damages have been fully compensated;
- By one quarter for other individuals convicted of serious crimes and by one fifth for those convicted of especially serious crimes;
- By the full remaining portion of the principal sentence for individuals with no negative behavioural record who have one year or less remaining to serve at the time the amnesty is implemented.
The amnesty will not apply to persons convicted of terrorist, extremist, or corruption-related offences; crimes committed as part of organised criminal groups; torture; repeat offences; individuals serving life sentences; crimes against the sexual integrity of minors; or persons convicted in absentia," the document states.
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Tokayev Signs Package of Laws on Elections and the Prosecutor's Office
Images | Akorda
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a package of laws concerning elections and the prosecutor's office, according to the presidential press service Akorda.
In particular, the head of state signed:
- The Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Constitutional Laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Bring Them into Conformity with the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan and to Improve Legislation on Elections and the Prosecutor's Office";
- The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Bring Them into Conformity with the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan and to Improve Legislation on Elections, the Prosecutor's Office and Social Security";
- The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Amendments and Additions to the Criminal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Criminal Executive Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Code of Administrative Offences to Bring Them into Conformity with the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan and to Improve Legislation on Elections and the Prosecutor's Office."
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Kazakhstan Seeks to Strengthen Position in Critical Minerals Market, PM Bektenov Says
Critical materials are becoming a key resource of the new industrial era, and Kazakhstan intends to strengthen its position in the global critical minerals market by leveraging the country's substantial mineral resource base, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said at the 16th Astana Mining & Metallurgy Congress 2026.
Possession of advanced technologies, processing capabilities, and participation in global value chains are gaining particular importance. The market for critical minerals represents a distinct and strategically important segment. Today, these materials already form the foundation for the production of batteries, semiconductors, energy storage systems, digital infrastructure, and many other advanced technologies. In effect, critical minerals are becoming one of the key resources of the new industrial era," Bektenov said.
The prime minister noted that Kazakhstan possesses significant mineral and raw material potential and is well positioned to play an important role in these global processes.
Our country is among the world leaders in reserves of a number of mineral resources, while products from Kazakhstan’s mining and metallurgical sector are in demand across major international markets. We view the development of this industry as one of the strategic priorities of the country’s new industrial policy," Bektenov stressed.
He added that the mining and metallurgical sector is becoming one of the key determinants of countries’ global competitiveness.
The world is entering a new industrial era in which the development of the energy sector, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, microelectronics, and the aerospace industry depends directly on reliable access to metals and mineral resources," Bektenov said.
According to assessments by international experts, global demand for many types of metals is expected to grow steadily over the coming decades, driven by the energy transition and the technological transformation of the global economy.
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