# When the New Constitution Entered Into Force

> Following the referendum of 15 March 2026, the new Constitution entered into force on 1 July 2026. Until then, the 1995 Constitution remained in force. During the transition period (16 March – 30 June), all institutions continued operating, key laws were signed on June 5, and preparations continued for Kurultai elections.

Canonical URL: https://constitution.my/p/practical-entry-into-force?lang=en
Language: en
Updated: 2026-07-26

Section: Practical

## Key dates

| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Referendum | **15 March 2026** |
| Official result announced by the CEC | By **22 March 2026** |
| Transitional period | 16 March – 30 June |
| Entry into force | **1 July 2026** |
| Elections to the Kurultai | August 23, 2026 |

## What happens during the transitional period

- The 1995 Constitution **remains in force** until 1 July
- The Mazhilis and Senate **continue their work**
- The Government, courts, and Constitutional Court – **without interruption**
- Key constitutional laws for the new institutions were already signed on June 5
- Preparations are underway for the decree and calendar of Kurultai elections (145 deputies elected by proportional representation)

## What happens on 1 July

- The new Constitution entered into force
- The 1995 Constitution ceased to have effect
- Existing acts apply only insofar as they do not contradict the new Constitution; state bodies must align them without a fixed one-year deadline in the Constitution
- The Parliament formed under the 1995 Constitution ceased its powers

## If the vote is 'No' or turnout is below 50%

Nothing enters into force. The 1995 Constitution remains. A repeat referendum cannot be held for at least one year.

The date of 1 July is fixed in the new Constitution. The transitional period is not a vacuum but a standard legal mechanism.

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

## Key Facts

- Entry into force – 1 July 2026 after the referendum of 15 March 2026
- Transitional period – 3.5 months; all institutions operate without interruption
- Key constitutional laws were signed on 5 June 2026
- Kurultai deputy elections are scheduled for August 23, 2026
- The former Parliament ceased its powers on July 1, 2026; until the Kurultai election, the legal system operates under the Constitution's transitional provisions

## 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)
- [Decree calling the Kurultai election for August 23, 2026](https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/U2600001338) – Adilet Legal Information System (checked 2026-07-16)

## Qaz.Vision context

> Символично, что в преддверии этого знаменательного дня мы открыли поистине судьбоносную главу в летописи нашей государственности – 1 июля вступила в силу Новая Конституция страны.

- Касым-Жомарт Токаев, Президент
- [Source document](https://qaz.vision/dokument/294)
- Evidence: `direct_quote; atom:3368; unreviewed`

> Согласно переходным положениям, новая Конституция вступит в силу 1 июля 2026 года. К этому времени все основные законы должны быть приведены в соответствие с нормами Конституции.

- Касым-Жомарт Токаев, Президент
- [Source document](https://qaz.vision/dokument/91)
- Evidence: `direct_quote; atom:831; unreviewed`

> Конституция вступит в силу с 1 июля. В августе состоятся выборы в однопалатный Курултай, а в сентябре будет сформирован Қазақстан Халық Кеңесі. Таким образом, мы вступаем в период больших изменений.

- Касым-Жомарт Токаев, Президент
- [Source document](https://qaz.vision/dokument/96)
- Evidence: `direct_quote; atom:663; unreviewed`

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Source: https://constitution.my/p/practical-entry-into-force?lang=en
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