Kazakh diaspora votes early in historic national referendum abroad
Kazakh citizens abroad have begun voting in a national referendum, with 71 polling stations set up across 54 countries. Among the early voters was Yevgeny Chebatko, a well-known Kazakh stand-up comedian, who cast his ballot in Moscow. The process started at 3:00 AM Astana time, with stations remaining open until 7:00 PM local time in each location.
The first day of voting saw participation from Kazakh nationals living overseas. By 7:00 PM, 14 of the 71 polling stations had already closed, recording a total of 9,050 votes. Officials have not yet released the overall number of ballots cast at diplomatic missions by the end of the day.
Yevgeny Chebatko, currently in Russia, took part in the referendum at a Moscow polling station. Despite being far from Kazakhstan, he made a point of exercising his civic duty. His involvement has drawn attention, given his public profile as a comedian and social commentator. The referendum's international reach reflects Kazakhstan's efforts to include its diaspora. Polling stations operated in embassies and consulates worldwide, ensuring citizens could vote regardless of location.
The referendum continues with overseas participation playing a key role. As of the first day, 9,050 votes were counted across 14 closed stations. Final turnout figures, including those from all 71 diplomatic polling sites, will be announced later.
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