Development Timeline
Stage 1: Launching the Process (September 2025)
Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined the need for constitutional reform in his Address to the Nation of Kazakhstan. The key focus – transition to a unicameral parliament and strengthening mechanisms of popular participation.
Stage 2: Forming the Working Group (October 2025)
An interdepartmental Working Group on parliamentary reform was created. Its members included:
- Constitutional lawyers
- Deputies of the current Parliament (all parties)
- Business community representatives
- Human rights advocates and NGO activists
- Public administration experts
- Regional representatives
Stage 3: Collecting Citizen Proposals (October 2025 – January 2026)
Online platforms for proposals were launched:
- e-Otinish – official appeals portal
- eGov – state services portal
Any citizen could submit their proposal. Over 2,000 proposals were received. Each was reviewed by the working group.
Stage 4: Constitutional Commission Work (January–February 2026)
The Constitutional Commission (130+ members) was formed under the chairmanship of Elvira Azimova (Chair of the Constitutional Court).
All commission sessions were held in an open format with online broadcast. Topics discussed:
- Power structure
- Checks and balances mechanisms
- Citizens' rights (including digital)
- Electoral system
- Popular participation institutions
Stage 5: Publication and Final Discussion (February 2026)
The new Constitution was published for public review. Events held:
- Expert roundtables
- Regional discussions
- Media briefings
Stage 6: Referendum (March 15, 2026)
Citizens made the decision on March 15, 2026: voting took place on March 15, 2026.
Who Participated in Development
Constitutional Commission members (130+):
- Lawyers – constitutionalists, judges, prosecutors
- Parliamentarians – deputies from all factions (Amanat, Auyl, QHP, Respublika, OSDP)
- Business – representatives of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken"
- Civil society – NGOs, human rights advocates, activists
- Regions – representatives of all oblasts and cities of republican significance
- Academia – scholars, legal researchers
- Media – journalists, editors
- Culture – figures from culture and arts
Gender balance: maintained (at least 30% women).
Regional balance: all regions of Kazakhstan represented.
Process Transparency
- All sessions broadcast live – on official portals and YouTube
- Materials published – minutes, transcripts, proposals (anonymized)
- Open communication channel – citizens could ask questions via eGov
- Media coverage – daily briefings, interviews with commission members