Sarap: "Constitutional reform: Transformation of Public Administration"

A meeting of the expert club "Sarap" on the topic was held at the site of the Kazakhstan Institute of Social Development in Nur-Sultan: "Constitutional reform: Transformation of public administration".

The organizer is the NJSC "Kazakhstan Institute of Social Development" with the support of the Ministry of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Representatives of non-governmental organizations of Kazakhstan, who took part in the meeting, expressed their views on the issue of holding a referendum, and also discussed the role of constitutional reform in relations between the branches of government, expanding the participation of the people in the governance of the country and strengthening the protection of constitutional rights of citizens.

The moderator of the meeting is Samat Nurtaza, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of the NJSC "Kazakhstan Institute of Social Development".

In her speech, the President of the Civil Alliance of Kazakhstan, Banu Nurgazieva, emphasized that the primary task today is to inform citizens about amendments and changes to the Constitution.

"It is very important to understand what this will give to an ordinary citizen, what will change. The Constitution has been repeatedly amended by the Parliament. This is absolutely legal, and a similar practice could be applied this time. But the sequence of political steps taken by the current Head of State is precisely expressed in the principle of a "hearing state": Kassym-Jomart Tokayev needs to hear the opinion of the people. To hear your citizens, to listen to their opinion is equivalent to deep trust in the relations between the government and the people," B. Nurgazieva stressed.

Gamal Tuzelbayev, Chairman of the Belsendi Azamat Public Foundation, also commented on the news about the referendum. In his opinion, every citizen of the country should realize the importance of their participation in the referendum. Meanwhile, he noted that the Government, as an institution of executive power, will have to restore the trust of citizens after the January events:

"Of course, I am glad that the amendments to the Constitution that are now being proposed are aimed at further democratization of society, at increasing the responsibility of state bodies in matters of socio-economic development."

Expert analyst in the field of international law, member of the Public Council at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Lilia Ispenbetova focused on the practical problems of voting:

In the voting rooms, it is necessary to provide various tactile pointers (if possible); a booth for secret voting, taking into account the access of persons with disabilities of the musculoskeletal system, including those using wheelchairs; a specially equipped place (corner) for persons with disabilities, containing: a computer with a monitor, in which there should be the information specified in paragraph 6 of this Instruction, in a format adapted for persons with disabilities; headphones; additional lighting, etc.".

The President of the public foundation "Eurasian Expert Council Foundation" Chingiz Lepsibayev stressed that the referendum is the most important institution of direct democracy, which represents the direct law-making of the people.

"This is one of the ways for the public to participate in making decisions that are important for the state and for each individual citizen. The decision made by a person affects the outcome of the procedure and should be supported by awareness on this issue. The terms of the referendum and its procedure are regulated by the constitutions and legislation of the respective countries."

The participants of the meeting supported the idea of holding a referendum, noting that the draft amendments to the Constitution include structural transformations of political institutions.

Recall that on May 5, the President of Kazakhstan announced the holding of a referendum on the republican state channels.

"Today I signed a decree on holding a republican referendum on June 5 on the adoption of amendments and additions to the Constitution. The universal vote of citizens on the draft constitutional amendments will demonstrate our firm commitment to democratic principles. The upcoming referendum will allow every citizen to take a direct part in the historical event that will determine the future of Kazakhstan," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.