When Will the First Kurultai Elections Be Held
According to the transitional provisions of the new Constitution, Kurultai elections must be held within two months of the Constitution taking effect (July 1, 2026). The approximate period is July–September 2026. The exact date is set by the President on the recommendation of the Central Election Commission.
Composition of the Kurultai
The Kurultai is a unicameral supreme representative body. Its composition:
- 145 deputies are elected by citizens through a proportional electoral system (party lists).
- 23 deputies are appointed by the President of the Republic.
- Total: 168 seats.
Electoral System
The proportional system means that citizens vote for a party, not for a specific candidate. Seats in the Kurultai are distributed proportionally to the votes received.
Key parameters:
- Single national constituency — the entire country is one electoral district.
- Threshold: a party must receive at least 7% of votes to enter the Kurultai.
- Gender quota: at least 30% of candidates of each gender on party lists.
- Term of office: 5 years.
What Happens to the Current Parliament
The Parliament under the 1995 Constitution — the Mazhilis and Senate — continues to operate during the transition period until the Kurultai is formed. Once the Kurultai is constituted and begins work, the Mazhilis and Senate cease their mandate.