Kazakhstan’s Parliament Adopts Several Constitutional Laws

At a joint meeting of both chambers of Kazakhstan’s Parliament, deputies of the Senate and the Mazhilis adopted several constitutional laws in the second reading, Orda.kz reports.

The adopted laws include:

On the President

This bill regulates the status of the president of Kazakhstan, including inauguration, the presidential term, and restrictions related to the term of office.

The key novelty of the draft constitutional law is the introduction of the post of vice president of Kazakhstan.

On the Kurultai and the Status of Its Deputies

According to the draft, the Kurultai is defined as “the highest representative body of the Republic of Kazakhstan exercising legislative power.” It will consist of 145 deputies elected for a five-year term.

The bill regulates who can introduce draft laws, how they are considered, what majority is required for their adoption, how committees are formed, what rights the parliamentary opposition has, and what measures can be applied to deputies for violations.

On Kazakhstan’s Khalyk Kenesi

The Khalyk Kenesi will prepare proposals on the main areas of domestic policy, submit draft laws to the Kurultai, initiate republican referendums, and ensure dialogue between the state and civil society.

According to the draft, the People’s Council will be formed on a parity basis from representatives of national and cultural centers, public organizations, regional maslikhats, and public councils.

On the Status of the Capital

The bill regulates the development of Astana’s suburban zone, strengthens control over the environment and the forest park zone, and introduces modern traffic management systems. It also expands the powers of the capital’s akimat and maslikhat.

On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Kazakhstan

The bill defines which administrative-territorial units exist in the country, how they can be created, transformed, and abolished, and what powers state bodies receive.

The document also establishes categories of settlements. Cities of republican, regional, and district significance will be classified as urban settlements, while rural settlements will include villages and settlements regardless of their administrative subordination.

The draft also delineates powers between the president, the government, and local authorities.

On Elections

The document regulates repeat voting in akim elections. If candidates receive an equal number of votes, the territorial election commission must decide to hold a second vote within one month.

The process for nominating candidates will also be clarified. The same person cannot simultaneously run for maslikhat deputy and akim, or be a candidate for akim in several electoral districts. When online platforms are used, candidates must be given equal conditions for placing campaign materials.

Original author: Ilya Astakhov

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