Two exit polls indicated that about 87% of voters supported the constitutional rewrite, while turnout reached 73%, according to earlier data from the electoral commission.

The new constitution restructures parliament and reinstates the post of vice president, which had been abolished in 1996. Under the revised framework, the president would gain the authority to appoint the vice president as well as several other senior officials.

The rapid drafting of the document has prompted debate among political analysts in Kazakhstan about its potential political implications.

Some observers suggest Tokayev may be preparing to appoint a successor as vice president and step down early, while others argue the constitutional change could reset his presidential term limits.

Both the existing and the proposed constitutions restrict presidents to a single seven-year term, a provision introduced by Tokayev in 2022.After casting his vote in the capital, Astana, Tokayev said the next presidential election would take place in 2029 when his current term expires.

“Some experts suggest that competition for power in Kazakhstan is intensifying,” Tokayev said. “However, there are absolutely no grounds for worry that this will have a negative impact on society.”

Opposition to the constitutional overhaul appeared limited, with state-approved pollsters showing broad support for the changes. Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Kazakhstan’s authorities have maintained tight control over political activity in the nation of about 20 million people.

In a rare public comment, former president Nursultan Nazarbayev, who ruled the country from 1991 to 2019, said he had voted in favour of the new constitution.

In a statement posted on his website, the 85-year-old said he had entrusted the presidency to Tokayev and continued to support that decision, expressing hope that the new constitution would benefit the country and its people.

Once Tokayev’s political patron, Nazarbayev was stripped of his remaining official roles after unrest in January 2022 in which hundreds were killed.

Tokayev has described the violence as a coup attempt involving elements of the security services loyal to the former leader, and several longtime Nazarbayev allies have since been imprisoned.

The referendum comes as the resource-rich country faces persistent economic pressure, including high inflation and recent tax increases, while navigating complex geopolitical ties with major powers including Russia, the United States and China.

Tokayev, a career diplomat who assumed the presidency in 2019, has described the proposed constitution as “a truly historic moment” that would move Kazakhstan away from what he calls a “super-presidential” system toward greater separation of powers between branches of government.

Critics, however, say elements of the reform could effectively consolidate authority within the presidency and potentially allow Tokayev to extend his political influence beyond the current constitutional limit.

Political analysts say the debate over the reforms reflects broader questions about Kazakhstan’s governance model as the country seeks to balance stability with institutional reform.

The referendum is also taking place amid speculation about Tokayev’s long-term political plans.According to a diplomatic source cited by analysts, Tokayev has been discussed as a potential candidate for the role of secretary-general of the United Nations later this year.

Political analyst Andrei Satpayev said the constitutional changes could create a vice-presidential post that might allow Tokayev to designate a successor before leaving office early if he were to pursue an international position.

Kazakhstan, a major producer of oil, uranium and other minerals, has faced economic challenges in recent months, including rising consumer prices and tax increases that have weighed on households and businesses.

The outcome of the referendum could shape the country’s political structure as it manages those pressures while maintaining its role as a key economic and energy hub in Central Asia.