Kazakhstan votes on whether to build first nuclear plant

A car drives near an electrical substation outside the village of Ulken on the eve of the referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant, in the Almaty Region, Kazakhstan October 5, 2024. The village of Ulken was selected as the most preferred location for the construction of a nuclear power plant. REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev

ALMATY (Reuters) - Kazakhstan votes in a referendum on Sunday on whether to build its first nuclear power plant, an idea promoted by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's government as the Central Asian nation seeks to phase out polluting coal plants.

The plan, however, has faced public criticism because of its hazards, the Soviet nuclear testing legacy, and fears that Russia will be involved in the project.