Constitutional History

Kazakhstan's constitutional development — from the first Constitution of 1993 to the entry into force of the updated Fundamental Law in 2026.

1993

First Constitution of independent Kazakhstan

Adopted after the dissolution of the USSR. Established the foundations of statehood for the new republic.

1995

Current Constitution

Adopted by referendum on August 30. 89% voted "Yes". Established a presidential form of government.

2007

Constitutional reform

Expansion of parliament and redistribution of powers between branches of government.

2017

Redistribution of powers

Constitutional reform: some presidential powers transferred to Parliament and the Government.

June 2022

Referendum: 56 amendments

77% voted "Yes", turnout 68%. Major amendments on the initiative of President Tokayev.

Sept. 2025

Start of new Constitution drafting

Announced the preparation of a fundamentally new Constitution with the participation of a wide range of experts.

Oct. 2025 – Feb. 2026

Public discussion

130+ experts, public hearings, online consultations, and text refinement.

March 15, 2026

Referendum: new Constitution adopted

87.15% voted "Yes", turnout 73.12%. The highest result in the history of constitutional referendums.

June 5, 2026

Key constitutional laws signed

Signed laws on the President, the Kurultai, and the Kazakhstan Peoples Council were published.

July 1, 2026

Constitution enters into force

From this date, the new constitutional rights begin to apply and the next stage of institutional reform starts.

August 2026

Elections to the Kurultai

After the Constitution takes effect, a presidential decree and the first elections to the unicameral 145-seat Kurultai are expected.

September 2026

Kazakhstan Peoples Council expected to launch

The next public stage after the elections is the launch of the consultative body with constitutional status.