Kazakhstan holding referendum on construction of first nuclear power plant

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has said that Kazakhstan's nuclear power plant, pending approval from local residents in a nationwide referendum, must be constructed by an international consortium.

“The issue is complex and the government must analyze the situation and engage in relevant negotiations,” President Tokayev told reporters following the vote, Caliber.Az reports. 

"My personal view on this issue is that an international consortium, made up of leading global companies with the most advanced technologies, must operate in Kazakhstan. After that, time will tell," he stated.

A referendum has begun in Kazakhstan regarding the construction of a nuclear power plant.

On September 2, President Tokayev signed a decree to hold the referendum on this issue. According to the law on republican referendums, more than half of eligible Kazakh citizens must participate in the vote for it to be considered valid. 

A total of 12,244,683 citizens with voting rights are included on the electoral roll. The Kazakh citizens will be asked one question in the referendum ballot regarding the nuclear power plant - "Do you agree with the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan?" There are two response options: "Yes, I agree" or "No, I do not agree."

Moreover, a polling station for the referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan has opened at the Kazakh embassy in Azerbaijan (14 N. Rafiyev Street, Baku). The polling station #394 opened at 07:00 (GMT+4) and will close at 20:00. 

Kazakh citizens aged 18 and over, whether residing permanently or temporarily in Azerbaijan, can exercise their voting rights. In total, approximately 180 voters from Kazakhstan are registered in Azerbaijan.

By Naila Huseynova