# Key Changes in the New Constitution

> The new Constitution preserves the foundations of statehood but changes the architecture of power and strengthens citizens' rights. Key changes: transition to a unicameral parliament, introduction of the Vice President, expansion of digital rights, and strengthened mechanisms of popular oversight.

Canonical URL: https://constitution.my/p/key-changes?lang=en
Language: en
Updated: 2026-07-26

Section: About the Constitution

## 1. SYSTEM OF POWER: From Bicameral Parliament to Kurultai

**Before:**

- Parliament = Senate (49 deputies) + Mazhilis (98 deputies)
- Coordination between two chambers

**Now:**

- **Kurultai** – unicameral supreme representative body
- **145 deputies** (instead of 147 in two chambers)
- **Proportional system** at the national level (party lists)
- **Expanded powers:** from 13 to 23 constitutionally enshrined functions

**Why:**

- Optimizing the legislative process (one chamber – one process)
- Personal accountability of every deputy (transparent voting)
- Strengthening parliament's role in checks and balances

## 2. VICE PRESIDENT: A New Institution of Continuity

**What is introduced:**

- The position of **Vice President of the Republic of Kazakhstan**

**How appointed:**

- President appoints with the **consent of Kurultai** (institutional filter)

**Functions:**

- Coordinating government work on the President's behalf
- Participating in Government and Kurultai sessions
- In case of early termination of the President's powers, temporarily serves as acting President until new elections are held within 60 days

## 3. CITIZENS' RIGHTS: Digital Rights and Procedural Guarantees

**a) Digital rights (new block):**

- Right to personal data protection
- Privacy of digital communications (email, messengers)
- Statutory routes to request removal of information in defined cases

**b) Rights upon detention:**

- Detention without court: **72 → 48 hours**
- **Rights explanation upon detention** – authorities must inform a detained person of the grounds and relevant rights
- Mandatory right to a lawyer from the moment of detention

**c) Presumption of innocence:**

- Enshrined as a **general constitutional principle** (not just criminal proceedings)

**d) Peaceful assemblies:**

- Right to peaceful assemblies without weapons is guaranteed

## 4. POPULAR PARTICIPATION: Institutionalizing Dialogue

**Kazakhstan People's Council (Khalyq Keñesi):**

- Consultative-advisory body under the President
- Includes representatives of civil society, NGOs, experts, regions
- Discusses draft laws, development strategies, social issues

**Appeals and petitions:**

- The Constitution preserves the right to individual and collective appeals
- Supported petitions are reviewed by the competent authorities under the Administrative Procedural Code; this is not direct citizen legislative initiative

## 5. WHAT DOES NOT CHANGE

Preserved:

- **President** – head of state, 7-year term, single term, party neutrality
- **Presidential form of government** – President forms the Government
- **Unitary state** – not a federation
- **Popular sovereignty** – citizens are the source of power
- **Fundamental rights** – freedom of speech, assembly, religion, property

## "Before and After" Table

| Item | 1995 Constitution | 2026 Constitution |
|---|---|---|
| Parliament | Senate (49) + Mazhilis (98) | Kurultai (145) |
| Parliamentary powers | 13 functions | 23 functions |
| Vice President | No | Yes (with Kurultai consent) |
| Detention period | 72 hours | 48 hours |
| Digital rights | Not regulated | Data protection, communication privacy |
| People's Council | Informal status | Constitutional status |
| President | 7 years, single term | 7 years, single term (unchanged) |

→ [Full text of the 2026 Constitution](/full-text?lang=en) · [1995 Constitution](/constitution-1995?lang=en)

## Key Facts

- Kurultai replaces Senate and Mazhilis – optimizing legislative process
- Vice President – continuity + institutional oversight
- Digital rights – data and privacy protection
- 48 hours instead of 72 – strengthened procedural guarantees
- People's Council – permanent dialogue institution

## Checked sources

- [Official publication of the 2026 Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan](https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/K2600000000) – Adilet Legal Information System (checked 2026-07-16)
- [Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan of 1995 (official archive publication)](https://www.gov.kz/uploads/2020/2/11/92594e9ba28352a961ca421505b4b79a_original.146163.pdf) – Gov.kz (checked 2026-07-16)

## Qaz.Vision context

> Он отметил, что еще одной ключевой особенностью нового текста Конституции является ориентация на права человека. Так, права и свободы человека закреплены не только в новой Преамбуле, но и утверждены в качестве особого приоритета и смыслового стержня всей Конституции.

- Ерлан Карин, Государственный советник
- [Source document](https://qaz.vision/dokument/27)
- Evidence: `attributed_speech; atom:818; unreviewed`

> В новой Преамбуле права и свободы человека впервые провозглашены в качестве основного приоритета государства.

- Ерлан Карин, Государственный советник
- [Source document](https://qaz.vision/dokument/599)
- Evidence: `direct_quote; atom:4547; unreviewed`

> Территориальная целостность, суверенитет страны, права и свободы граждан получили свое закрепление в качестве главных ценностей. Соблюдение Закона и Порядка, развитие образования, науки и новых технологий, сохранение чистоты, защита природы и поддержка волонтерской деятельности были определены как конституционные обязанности.

- Касым-Жомарт Токаев, Президент
- [Source document](https://qaz.vision/dokument/96)
- Evidence: `direct_quote; atom:660; unreviewed`

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Source: https://constitution.my/p/key-changes?lang=en
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