Kazakhs vote on building first nuclear power station

Almaty, Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan votes on Sunday in a referendum on building the country s first nuclear power station as the world s top uranium produc...

Almaty, Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan votes on Sunday in a referendum on building the country's first nuclear power station as the world's top uranium producer looks to boost its power generation capacity.

The result, due to be announced on Monday, is expected to be in favour despite lingering resentment over massive radiation exposure as a result of Soviet-era nuclear tests.

China, France, Russia and South Korea are in the running to build the new power station, which is to be located on the shores of Lake Balkhash.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who was elected in 2019, says it will be "the biggest project in the history of independent Kazakhstan". The "Yes" campaign has dominated ahead of the vote.

To ensure a high turnout, Kazakhs are being allowed to vote even if they are not enrolled on electoral registers and riding on buses in major cities is free for the day.