‘In accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 91 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Article 18 of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan ‘On Republican Referendum’ I hereby resolve: to hold a republican referendum on June 5, 2022,’ the decree says.
It was also reported that one question would be put to the constitutional referendum. According to the document, the question is formulated as follows: ‘Do you accept the amendments and additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan set out in the draft law of the Republic of Kazakhstan ‘On Amendments and Additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan’ published in the media on 6 May 2022?’
The organization and conduct of the republican referendum is the responsibility of the Central Election Commission, which performs the functions of the Central Referendum Commission, as well as the territorial and precinct election commissions, which perform the functions of the territorial and precinct referendum commissions.
The first session of the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan on the organization of the constitutional referendum will be held on 6 May.
Commitment to democratic principles
The President of the Republic, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, said the country’s constitutional referendum would demonstrate strong commitment of the authorities to democratic principles. ‘A general citizen vote on the draft constitutional amendments will demonstrate our strong commitment to democratic principles. The upcoming referendum will allow every citizen to directly participate in a historic event that will determine the future of Kazakhstan,’ he said.
According to him, the constitutional reform is aimed at a comprehensive transformation of the entire state model. ‘The amendments are designed to consolidate the final transition from a ‘super-presidential’ form of government to a presidential republic with influential parliament and accountable government,’ Tokayev said.
He also pointed out that the amendments to the main law would significantly consolidate the representative branch of power and the system of checks and balances, as well as increase the subjectivity of maslikhats, the local representative bodies. ‘The introduction of a mixed majoritarian-proportional model for the election of deputies to the Majilis (the lower chamber of parliament – note TASS) and regional maslikhats will allow for a fuller coverage of the entire spectrum of views and opinions of voters. In turn, the introduction of a fully majoritarian system for the election of deputies to district and city maslikhats will open up the possibility for citizens to influence life in the regions more effectively,’ the President said.
He reminded that in the new version of the Constitution, there were plans to enshrine the equidistant status of the head of the state from all political parties and movements. ‘There will be a ban for the nearest relatives of the president to hold political positions and leadership positions in the quasi-state sector,’ Tokayev explained.
As the leader of the country noted, an important block of amendments affects the human rights sphere. ‘The establishment of the Constitutional Court, the consolidation of the status of the Commissioner for Human Rights at the constitutional level, the unconditional ban on the death penalty – all these steps are aimed at full respect for the rights and freedoms of citizens. The upcoming constitutional reform will mark a new stage in the development of our country,’ the President highlighted.
On 29 April, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, at a session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, proposed a referendum on amending the Constitution. In accordance with the amendments, the powers of the head of state are reduced, the role of parliament and local representative bodies is significantly strengthened, the human rights sphere is systematically strengthened, and the Constitutional Court is reconstituted.
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Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS