Kazakhstan’s voters have approved a referendum on a new constitution that is expected to strengthen the authority of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Central Asia’s largest country today. Preliminary results released by the country’s Central Election Commission show that more than 87% of voters supported the proposed constitutional amendments in yesterday’s vote. The voter turnout was reported to be above 73%.

The proposal will merge Kazakhstan’s two-chamber Parliament into a single body and grant the President expanded authority to appoint all government officials, including the restoration of the post of Vice-President.

The constitutional changes also envisage the creation of a new body, the People’s Council, alongside parliament, empowered to initiate legislation and referendums. Its members will be appointed entirely by the president.

The referendum marks the second constitutional change in four years initiated by 72-year-old President Tokayev.