# What Happens During the Transition Period

> The transition period from March 16 to June 30, 2026 is complete. Key laws were signed on June 5, the new Constitution entered into force on July 1, and the decree calling Kurultai elections has been signed.

Canonical URL: https://constitution.my/p/transition-period-overview?lang=en
Language: en
Updated: 2026-07-26

Section: After the Referendum

## What the Transition Period Means

After the referendum of March 15, 2026, Kazakhstan went through a transition window from March 16 to June 30, 2026. During this time the new Constitution had already been adopted, but the country's formal legal framework still operated under the 1995 model.

## What Remained in Force Until July 1

- The 1995 Constitution remained in force until **July 1, 2026**.
- The President, Government, Mazhilis, Senate, courts, and other institutions continued to work without interruption until the new Constitution entered into force; the former Parliament ceased its powers on July 1.
- Citizens were not left in a legal vacuum: the older norms continued to apply until replacement.

## What Has Already Been Completed During the Transition

- On **June 5, 2026**, the signed constitutional laws on the President, the Kurultai, and the Kazakhstan People's Council were published.
- Part of the transition work was completed even before the Constitution formally entered into force.

## What Was Completed by July 1

- The launch of new procedures was prepared organisationally.
- On July 1, 2026, the decree calling Kurultai elections was signed.
- Subordinate acts for rights and institutions requiring administrative implementation continue to be updated.

## Key Dates

- **March 15, 2026** – referendum and adoption of the new Constitution
- **June 5, 2026** – key constitutional laws signed
- **July 1, 2026** – Constitution entered into force
- **August 23, 2026** – Kurultai deputy elections
- **July 2, 2026** – Secretariat of the Kazakhstan People's Council created; no first-session date has yet been published

## Why This Stage Matters

The transition period exists so that the state does not switch systems in a single moment. It preserves continuity of power, allows part of the legislative work to be completed in advance, and brings the country to July with a prepared model for launching the new institutions.

## Key Facts

- Transition period: March 16 to June 30, 2026
- The 1995 Constitution remained in force until July 1, 2026
- Key constitutional laws were already signed on June 5, 2026
- On July 1, 2026, the decree calling Kurultai elections was signed
- August 23, 2026 is the scheduled voting date; no first-session date for the Kazakhstan People's Council has yet been published

## 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 establishing the Secretariat of the Kazakhstan People's Council](https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/U2600001343) – 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)
- [Calendar for the August 23, 2026 Kurultai election](https://www.election.gov.kz/rus/news/releases/index.php?ID=10190) – Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan (checked 2026-07-16)

## Qaz.Vision context

> 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`

> 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`

> 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`

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Source: https://constitution.my/p/transition-period-overview?lang=en
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