Upcoming Constitutional Reforms in Kazakhstan Presented at the OSCE
During a regular meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the delegation of Kazakhstan informed the OSCE participating States of the upcoming large-scale political and constitutional reforms announced by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the 5th National Kurultai in Kyzylorda.
It was emphasized that the decision on constitutional reforms will be made by the people of Kazakhstan in the upcoming national referendum.
Key aspects of the upcoming political modernization will be the transition to a unicameral parliament, renamed "Kuryltai," the creation of a supreme advisory body – the People's Council as well as the position of Vice President. In this regard, a special Commission on Constitutional Reform was established by Decree of the President of Kazakhstan.
The representative of Kazakhstan Kairat Malayev noted that the Parliament will consist of 145 members, elected from party lists under a proportional representation system for a five-year term. The 30% quotas for youth, women and persons with disabilities on party lists as well as the 5% electoral threshold will remain in effect.
Meanwhile, the People's Council will consist of 126 members representing ethnocultural associations, large public organizations, local representative bodies and regional public councils, thereby reflecting the broad diversity of Kazakhstan’s society.