THE PRESIDENT OF KAZAKHSTAN ANNOUNCES A THIRD PACKAGE OF POLITICAL REFORMS

THE PRESIDENT OF KAZAKHSTAN ANNOUNCES A THIRD PACKAGE OF POLITICAL REFORMS

On 15 January 2021, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, proposed to the newly elected lower house of parliament (Mazhilis) a third package of political reforms aimed at further developing Kazakhstan’s political and human rights system.

Key reforms include:

  • Reducing the threshold for political parties to gain seats in the Mazhilis from 7% to 5%
  • Introducing the option "against all" in the ballots for all future elections
  • Introducing elections of district Mayors (akims) after the election of rural akims
  • Legal formalisation of the institution of online petitions
  • Adopting an additional law on the Ombudsman
  • Strengthening the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, including the creation of its regional offices
  • Implementing a Youth Development Index
  • Providing measures to stimulate the activities of charities

President Tokayev said in his statement: “A new impetus is needed to strengthen the political system and increase the influence of citizens in the decision-making process.”

The first package of reforms was presented at the meeting of the National Council of Public Trust on December 20, 2019. The reforms included reducing by half the number of members required to register a political party, introducing a 30% quota for women and youth on electoral party lists, introducing the institution of parliamentary opposition, implementing a new law on assemblies, which made it easier to organise and participate in rallies.

The second package of reforms was put forward by President Tokayev on September 1, 2020, in his Address to the people of Kazakhstan. They included transition to direct elections of rural Mayors from 2021, instructions to improve legislation to combat torture, human trafficking, and protect citizens (especially children) from cyberbullying, as well as instructions to accede to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure.

Commenting on these reforms, President Tokayev said: “The first part of last year's political reforms provided new opportunities for political parties and gave impetus to the country's democratic development.” 

He added: “We have given a significant impetus to the development of a multi-party system in the country and the strengthening of parliamentarism.”