Kazakhstan should consider at least three sites where it can build NPPs - Energy Minister
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The Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almassadam Satkaliyev, believes it is necessary to prepare at least three sites for the construction of new nuclear power plants (NPPs) in the country in order to ensure a reliable and expandable energy supply in the future, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The discussion is not yet focused on planning, but rather on the capacity and efficiency of the power system in meeting future energy demands. The necessity for a baseload capacity is evident. Coal is facing significant limitations in terms of utilization on a global scale, with gas employed primarily as a transitional fuel. That is why there are few viable alternatives," Satkaliyev stated.
The minister emphasized that nuclear power is widely recognized as the most promising source of energy for meeting global energy demands.
He identified several potential locations in Kazakhstan that could support the construction of NPPs.
In terms of large and small capacity stations, the Balkhash site is worthy of mention. Additionally, there is the Kurchatov site, as well as the site where a medium-capacity plant previously operated in western Kazakhstan. In order to guarantee the reliability of energy supply and facilitate future growth, it is essential to consider at least three potential locations for the construction of nuclear power plants. This will require support from the public at the upcoming referendum," Satkaliev noted.
Earlier, Almassadam Satkaliyev said that four gas processing plants are scheduled to be constructed between 2026 and 2030.
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President Tokayev inks decree for 2026 military conscription and discharge
Images | gov.kz
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed the Decree "On the discharge from active military service of personnel who have completed their term of service, and the next conscription of citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan for military service in March-June and September-December 2026," Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Akorda press office.
In accordance with Subparagraph 11) of Clause 2 of Article 5 of the Law "On defense and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan" and Article 31 of the Law "On military service and the status of military personnel," I HEREBY DECREE:
To discharge and transfer military personnel, who have completed their prescribed term of active service, to the reserve from the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Response, the National Security Committee, and the State Security Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan in March-June and September-December 2026.
To conscript male citizens between the ages of 18 and 27, who are not entitled to a deferment or exemption, for active military service in the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Response, the National Security Committee, and the State Security Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan in March-June and September-December 2026.
Local executive bodies are directed to organize and ensure the military conscription process in March-June and September-December 2026 through the respective local military administration offices.
The Government, the National Security Committee, and the State Security Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan are directed to organize the financial and material support for the deployment of citizens conscripted into the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Response, the National Security Committee, and the State Security Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as for the discharge of personnel who have completed their required terms of service.
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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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Referendum voting concludes at all overseas polling stations - Kazakh Foreign Ministry
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The 71st precinct referendum commission announced the completion of its work, according to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The ministry said a total of 12,740 overseas Kazakhstani nationals cast their ballots in 54 countries, with 88.6 percent voter turnout registered.
Earlier, Qazinform reported the exit poll results from Kazakhstan’s nationwide referendum on the new Constitution have been released.
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Kazakhstan made historic choice in favor of new Constitution - Tokayev
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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made a statement at the Kazmedia Center following the release of the exit poll results from Kazakhstan’s nationwide referendum on the new Constitution, Qazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
Today we have witnessed a truly historic event for our country. The citizens of Kazakhstan took part in the referendum and supported the constitutional reform. They cast their votes for the future of our homeland. The exit poll results have just been published, according to which it can be confidently stated that Kazakhstan has made its historic choice in favor of a new Constitution, stated the Kazakh president.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said: "Thus, through this vote, the people have determined the further course of history and the destiny of Kazakhstan."
The Kazakh president added the will of the people will forever remain in world history because it has become a true symbol of the patriotism inherent in the people of the country.
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Referendum on New Constitution: exit poll results announced
The exit poll results from Kazakhstan’s nationwide referendum on the new Constitution have been released, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The survey conducted by the Institute of Eurasian Integration involved around 30,000 voters at 200 polling stations across the country. According to the poll, voter turnout reached 75.3%, while 86.7% of respondents said they voted in favor of adopting the draft Constitution.
Another exit poll conducted by the Institute for Comprehensive Social Research Astana Socis-A also indicated strong support for the constitutional reform. According to its findings, turnout stood at 73.8%, and 87.4% of respondents backed the adoption of the new Constitution.
According to the Institute of Public Policy of the Amanat Party, 88.6% of voters supported the new Constitution. Voter turnout stood at 72.1%.
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Kazakh nationals in 14 countries complete voting in Constitutional Referendum
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By 7:00 PM Astana time, 9,050 citizens of Kazakhstan had cast their ballots abroad, announced Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issetov, Qazinform News Agency reports.
Voting at the polling stations overseas began at 03:00 AM Astana time.
Due to time zone differences, all polling stations abroad opened by 7:00 PM, and 14 of them have already closed. At the moment, 9,050 people have voted," he informed.
By midnight Astana time, 64 polling stations abroad will conclude their operations.
The polling station in San Francisco, U.S., will be the last to complete the overseas voting process on March 16 at 08:00 AM Astana time," the Deputy Minister noted.
For citizens staying abroad, there are 71 polling stations at Kazakhstan's diplomatic missions in 54 countries.
Altogether, 10,388 polling stations opened on the day of the referendum.
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Preliminary turnout for Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Referendum reaches 64.43%
Images | election.gov.kz
With less than four hours of voting remaining, over 8 million Kazakhstanis have already cast their ballots at the Constitutional Referendum as of 4:00 PM, Qazinform News Agency reports.
Assel Zhanabilova, a member of the Central Referendum Commission, presented the latest data from territorial commissions regarding the preliminary turnout. According to the report, 8,029,286 Kazakhstanis have received their ballots so far, representing 64.43% of the total eligible voters.
Polling stations in Washington, D.C., New York City, and Ottawa have also opened for the referendum.
The highest turnout was seen in the Turkistan and Aktobe regions, as well as the city of Shymkent.
Regional turnout breakdown:
- Abai region - 69.29%
- Akmola region - 71.33%
- Aktobe region - 77.65%
- Almaty region - 68.23%
- Atyrau region - 64.33%
- West Kazakhstan region - 60.61%
- Zhambyl region - 70.31%
- Zhetysu region - 68.50%
- Karaganda region - 72.63%
- Kostanay region - 70.96%
- Kyzylorda region - 82.02%
- Mangystau region - 68.19%
- Pavlodar region - 68.41%
- North Kazakhstan region - 60.70%
- Turkistan region - 72.39%
- Ulytau region - 66.50%
- East Kazakhstan region - 78.98%
- Astana - 47.76%
- Almaty - 28.16%
- Shymkent - 72.61%
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