Regarding the Refusal of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Approve a Public Opinion Survey
Dated: February 20, 2026
Almaty
MediaNet International Center for Journalism Public Foundation expresses its disagreement with the refusal of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan (CEC RK) to consider MediaNet’s notification dated February 9, 2026, regarding the conduct of a public opinion survey by the DEMOSCOPE Express Monitoring Bureau on the topic “Public Perception of the Constitutional Reform in Kazakhstan.”
Since 2012, MediaNet International Center for Journalism has regularly conducted public opinion surveys, including on topics related to elections and referendums, in full compliance with the requirements of Article 28, Paragraph 9 of the Constitutional Law “On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan.” This compliance is confirmed by previously issued official permits from the CEC RK (No. ОСК-580-133/1217 dated June 27, 2019, and No. ОСК-402/346 dated March 3, 2023).
However, in its refusal to approve the survey on constitutional reform (No. ЗТ-2026-00565262 dated February 10, 2026), the CEC RK refers to Paragraph 3 of Article 8 of the Constitutional Law “On the Republican Referendum,” which stipulates that “any direct or indirect participation of international organizations and international public associations, foreign state bodies, legal entities and citizens, or stateless persons in financing or otherwise supporting events related to the referendum is prohibited.”
We consider that the CEC RK’s interpretation of the legislation is incorrect, as the survey is not an independent event related to the referendum, nor is it part of ensuring another event. Therefore, foreign funding of the survey does not violate the requirements of the Law “On the Referendum.”
We also note that the conduct of public opinion surveys is regulated by the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Elections,” to which MediaNet International Center for Journalism and its project, the DEMOSCOPE Express Monitoring Bureau, fully comply.
This is already the second instance of refusal to conduct a sociological survey. Previously, on October 1, 2024, the CEC RK denied permission to conduct a study on public perceptions of the referendum related to the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan.
Thus, the CEC’s decision limits the opportunities for independent monitoring of public opinion, violates the principles of transparency, and narrows society’s access to independent and reliable information regarding public perceptions and trust in the ongoing constitutional reform in Kazakhstan.
We urge the CEC RK to reconsider its decision to prohibit the survey. We believe that in making a decision, the interests of citizens in obtaining accurate information, as well as the need for a civilized dialogue between government authorities and civil society, will be taken into proper consideration.