NUR-SULTAN, June 5. /TASS/. The referendum on amendment of the Constitution started in most regions of Kazakhstan Sunday. The voting will proceed between 07:00 and 20:00 local time. In accordance with the time zones in the country, voting stations in five regions of Kazakhstan will open and close one hour later.

A total of over 10,000 voting stations will work Sunday, with 65 district commissions working in 52 foreign countries. In Russia, diplomatic missions of Kazakhstan organized five voting stations in Astrakhan, Kazan, Moscow, Omsk and St. Petersburg.

The referendum requires at least a turnout of 50% plus one vote. The amendments will pass if supported by more than half of voters in at least 12 out of 17 regions. The outcome must be published within seven days after the vote.

On April 29, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed to hold a referendum on amendment of the Constitution. The proposed amendments limit the authority of the head of state, significantly expand the power of the parliament and local representative bodies; systemically reinforce the human right sphere; restore the Constitutional Court; cement final abolition of death penalty; and remove clauses about the status of the first President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.