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Kazakh Journalists are Being Fined for Surveying Public Opinion on the Upcoming Referendum

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Crossroads Asia | Politics | Central Asia

Kazakh Journalists are Being Fined for Surveying Public Opinion on the Upcoming Referendum

As Kazakhstan prepares to vote on crucial constitutional changes, media workers are being fined for asking the public about the vote.

On February 11, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree calling a referendum on a new constitution, including the introduction of a new unicameral parliament. On March 15, citizens will be asked: “Do you accept the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the draft of which was published in the media on February 12, 2026?”

Since the referendum was announced, opportunities to understand public opinion on the vote have been tightly restricted. In at least three instances, fines have been handed out to journalists and media outlets for conducting what the authorities deem to be surveys related to the referendum. Meanwhile, polling organizations have been denied permission to poll citizens about the vote.

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