Kazakhstan votes to construct its first ever nuclear power plant

Preliminary results from an October 6 national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Central Asia’s biggest state Kazakhstan indicate a high level of participation.

Voter turnout was high, according to the country’s Central Election Commission (CEC). Kazakhstan possesses one of world’s highest uranium reserves and is a key supplier to India.

The region in Kazakhstan with the highest voter turnout is the Kyzylorda Region, which recorded a participation rate of 82.48%. Other regions with high participation include the Turkistan Region at 75.31%, the Aktobe Region at 75.11%, and the Kostanai Region at 73.45%.


In contrast, the lowest voter turnout was recorded in the city of Almaty, where 25.39% of eligible voters participated in the referendum, a trend that the city has shown in almost all previous elections.

In Astana, the country’s capital, 50.81% of eligible voters exercised their right, while in Shymkent, another city of national significance, voter turnout reached 70.57%.

The East Kazakhstan and the Abai regions also saw notable participation in the referendum of 73.79% and 69.57%, respectively.

The referendum saw voters deciding on whether Kazakhstan should proceed with plans to build its first nuclear power plant. There were more than 10,000 polling stations, including 74 in Kazakhstan’s diplomatic missions abroad.

The referendum has reignited debates over the future of Kazakhstan’s energy sector. Proponents of the nuclear power plant argue that it is a necessary step toward reducing the country’s reliance on coal and natural gas, while opponents raise concerns about environmental risks and long-term safety.