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Polls opened in Kazakhstan on Sunday for a nationwide referendum on constitutional modifications, seen by many as an opportunity to shut the chapter on the nation’s former chief Nursultan Nazarbayev.
The present president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, stated the vote is “laying the muse for the Second Republic.”
In line with Tokayev, the proposed modifications will empower lawmakers and dismantle the “super-presidential” system at the moment in place. However the reform additionally ends a slew of privileges loved by Nazarbayev.
‘Father of the Nation’ no extra
Nazarbayev stands to lose his title as “Elbasy” or “Father of the Nation.” The 81-year-old, who dominated the ex-Soviet state for nearly three many years, retained this title even after stepping down in 2019. One other modification nixes Nazarbayev’s proper to run for president greater than two instances.
The reform may even ban the president’s family members from holding authorities positions — one other controversial situation within the oil-rich nation.
Over half of registered voters have already solid their ballots, which suggests the plebiscite’s end result will likely be legitimate, the nation’s electoral officers stated at 2 pm native time (0800 GMT) in Nursultan on Sunday.
Tokayev strikes towards protesters, however disempowers Nazarbayev
The vote comes as Kazakhstan nonetheless reels from the violent unrest in January, which left over 220 folks useless.
Individuals had taken to the streets to protest a pointy rise in gas costs, however the marches rapidly grew right into a wide-front protest motion towards authorities insurance policies and the legacy of Nazarbayev.
President Tokayev responded by clamping down on the unrest and alluring peacekeepers from Russia and several other different ex-Soviet states into Kazakhstan to assist him restore order. He decried the protesters as “bandits” and “terrorists.” Safety forces got shoot-to-kill orders. On the identical time, nonetheless, Tokayev moved towards Nazarbayev and his allies — a stunning flip from a politician extensively seen as ruling from his predecessor’s shadow.
The 69-year-old eliminated Nazarbayev from his place as the pinnacle of the highly effective Safety Council. He additionally arrested former intelligence chief Karim Masimov on expenses of treason. Nazarbayev’s nephew Kairat Satybaldy is at the moment dealing with embezzlement expenses.
Nazarbayev has stored out of the general public eye for the reason that January disaster however has expressed help for Tokayev and the constitutional modifications. The previous president has additionally stated his members of the family ought to face penalties in the event that they broke the legislation, however he went on to notice that they had a proper to a good trial.
dj/kb (AFP, Interfax, Reuters, AP)
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