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.
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:
- Article 18: detention periods are set by law; judicial control, an explanation of the grounds for restricting liberty and of rights, and legal assistance are guaranteed.
- 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 without court authorization | Up to 72 hours under Article 16 of the 1995 Constitution | Periods are set by law; safeguards are provided by Article 18 of the 2026 Constitution |
| 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) |
Key facts
- Kurultai replaces Senate and Mazhilis – optimizing legislative process
- Vice President – continuity + institutional oversight
- Digital rights – data and privacy protection
- Article 18: detention periods are set by law; judicial control, an explanation of the grounds for restricting liberty and of rights, and legal assistance are guaranteed.
- People's Council – permanent dialogue institution
Public positions and documents
An editorial selection showing how the topic developed and where it stands now.
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«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.»
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«В новой Преамбуле права и свободы человека впервые провозглашены в качестве основного приоритета государства.»
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«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.»
Check this material Provisions and primary sources
Constitutional provisions
Article 21· Article 42· Article 49· Article 52· Article 70· Article 72· Article 87· Article 94· Article 95
Primary sources
Open sources the editorial team used to verify this explainer. Checked 18 August 2026.
Related articles
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Evidence passport Sources checked Checked recently
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