Referendum on construction of nuclear power plant commences in Kazakhstan
A nationwide referendum regarding the construction of a nuclear power plant has started in Kazakhstan on October 6, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
The majority of polling stations will open at 7:00 am; however, 84 polling stations start operating at 6:00 am, including military units, shift centers, and numerous locations where individuals who work shifts reside. Most of these locations are situated in Almaty, as well as the Karaganda and Abai regions. Additionally, shift settlements are situated in the Mangistau and Aktobe regions.
Citizens of Kazakhstan are also eligible to participate in the national referendum abroad. Kazakhstan's foreign missions in 59 countries have established 74 referendum stations.
The primary question that will be put to the vote is: "Do you agree with the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan?" Kazakhstanis will have the option of selecting either "Yes, I agree" or "No, I disagree." The ballots are written in two languages: Kazakh and Russian.
More than half of the citizens on the voting list must participate in the referendum for it to be considered valid. In total, 12,244,683 individuals are eligible to participate in the vote today, as per the republican referendum law.
200 foreign journalists from 37 countries, as well as 177 observers from 30 foreign nations and 4 international organizations, have been accredited for the referendum.
The vote will be accepted at all polling stations simultaneously, precisely at 20:00 pm. The results of the voting will be disclosed within seven days.
The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, established the date of the referendum on the NPP for October 6, 2024, and signed a decree on its holding on September 2, 2024. Following this, a press conference was conducted at the Central Election Commission to discuss the national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power facility. Representatives of the Central Election Commission provided an explanation of the referendum's procedures during the conference.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated at the II Republican Forum of Deputies of Maslikhats of all levels held on October 3 that the referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant would be a turning point, irrespective of the voting results.