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 | Within 2 months after 1 July |
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
- Constitutional laws for the new institutions are drafted
- Elections to the Kurultai are prepared (168 seats: 145 elected + 23 appointed)
What happens on 1 July
- The new Constitution enters into force
- The 1995 Constitution ceases to have effect
- Laws that contradict the new Constitution are brought into conformity within one year
- The Mazhilis and Senate continue operating until the Kurultai is elected
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 · 1995 Constitution (previous)