New Delhi, March 16 -- Voters in Kazakhstan headed to the polls Sunday for a referendum on a new constitution that would strengthen President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's grip on power in Central Asia's largest country.

The proposal merges the Kazakhstani parliament's two chambers into one and gives the president the right to appoint key government officials with parliament's approval, including the restoration of the post of vice president.

"The transition to a single-chamber parliament will not necessarily strengthen democracy, especially as the proposed amendments broadly expand presidential powers," Mario Bikarski, senior Eastern Europe and Central Asia analyst at risk intelligence firm Verisk Maplecroft, told The Associated Press. "Ther...