News Story

Kazakhs head to the polls Sunday to vote in a referendum on a new constitution that would strengthen President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev´s grip on power in Central Asia´s largest country.

The proposal merges the Kazakh parliament´s two chambers into one and gives the president the right to appoint all government officials, including the restoration of the post of vice-president.

This second constitutional change in four years was initiated by Tokayev, who explains the constitutional changes as a response to the need to make quick decisions in a rapidly changing world. But analysts say they could pave the way for him to retain power after his term expires.

The 72-year-old Tokayev, a former Soviet official and Kazakh diplomat who previously served at the U.N., is currently limited to one seven-year term until 2029. Analysts believe Tokayev could use the referendum to reset presidential term limits.

"If the transition of power doesn´t go as Tokayev would like ... then he will be able to say that with the adoption of the new Constitution, we have reset presidential term limits," analyst Temur Umarov, a fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told The Associated Press. "The new constitution could provide Tokayev with a loophole for reelection to another term."