Kazakh president proposes referendum on constitutional amendments

NUR-SULTAN. April 29 (Interfax) - A referendum on constitutional amendments will bolster the national course towards democratization, Kazakh President, Chairman of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

"When the reforms were being prepared, we thought that the parliament would discuss the draft of constitutional amendments. This is a procedure laid down by current laws. However, the pending extensive and tangible changes will have a significant effect on the country's future. Therefore, I propose that we hold a national referendum on constitutional amendments," Tokayev said at a session of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan on Friday.

A referendum is a crucial democratic institution, yet Kazakhstan held the latest referendum in 1995 to approve the current constitution, Tokayev said.

"The constitutional law 'On Republican Referendum' was adopted in the later period but never used despite the fact that constitutional amendments were approved on four occasions. I believe that an adjustment of the constitution by a universal vote will be an illustrative demonstration of the people's will," he said.

"The referendum will allow every citizen to directly participate in deciding the country's future and will strengthen our course towards comprehensive democratization and building a new Kazakhstan," Tokayev said.

Tokayev initiated constitutional amendments and presented them in his address to the nation entitled "New Kazakhstan: The Path of Renewal and Modernization" at a joint meeting of parliament chambers on March 16. The amendments will apply to over 30 articles of the Kazakh constitution.