On October 6, 2024, Kazakhstan took a significant step toward direct democracy by holding its first-ever referendum, where citizens were asked to decide on the construction of a nuclear power plant (NPP). President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called the event historic, emphasizing that the results would have a profound impact on the country’s energy future.
Having cast his vote in the referendum, Tokayev highlighted that direct voting is a crucial democratic tool, ensuring that the voice of the people is heard. “Today will go down in history. Our citizens are deciding whether we will have a nuclear power plant or not. The referendum is a highly effective democratic mechanism, and whatever decision the people make, the state will abide by it,” he remarked during a briefing.
Tokayev also touched on the importance of international cooperation in the event of a positive outcome. He expressed confidence that the construction of the NPP should involve global companies with cutting-edge technologies, underscoring the need for careful planning and international negotiations.
According to Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Law, the referendum is considered valid if more than half of eligible voters participate. By 2:00 p.m., voter turnout had reached 51.77%, officially validating the referendum. By the end of the voting process, overall turnout was 63.87%. Turnout varied by region, with the highest participation recorded in the Kyzylorda region (82.48%), while Almaty had the lowest (25.39%).
Notably, turnout was particularly high in rural areas such as the Ulken district, where 97% of registered voters cast their ballots. This district is a potential site for the construction of the nuclear plant.
Exit polls conducted nationwide showed that the majority of Kazakh citizens support the NPP project. Support ranged from 69.8% to 72.3%. The final results of the referendum confirmed these numbers: 71.12% of voters, or 5,561,937 people, voted in favor of the plant, while 28.88%, or 2,045,271 citizens, opposed it.
In total, 7,820,204 voters participated in the referendum, representing 63.66% of eligible voters. Of the ballots cast, 130,267 were declared invalid, including 82,729 where both options were selected.
The decision made in the referendum will take effect immediately upon the publication of the official results. The construction of the nuclear power plant will proceed with the involvement of an international consortium. President Tokayev stressed that leading global companies with advanced technologies would be involved, ensuring the safety and efficiency of the future NPP.