Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on July 1 setting elections for the new unicameral parliamentary body, the Qurultoy, for August 23. The move coincides with the enactment of a new Constitution approved in a March 15 referendum.

Under the new Constitution, the bicameral parliament is replaced by a unicameral Qurultoy consisting of 145 deputies elected by party lists. Deputies will serve five-year terms.

On June 30, both chambers of the former parliament — the Majilis and the Senate — ceased their activities. Tokayev addressed their final joint session, announcing the start of a broad reform of the power system from July 1. He stated that “from tomorrow, a deep modernization of the entire system of state administration will begin” and that “a major overhaul of the entire ‘building’ of Kazakh statehood is planned.”

The new Constitution also introduces the position of vice president, who will be appointed by the president with the consent of the Qurultoy. This role is expected to be significant in state governance.

Following the March referendum, Tokayev announced that the next presidential elections would be held in 2029. He said that “the next presidential elections, as they should be, will be held within the time limits set by the current Constitution — in 2029.”

Source: www.gazeta.uz