Kazakhstan to hold constitutional referendum on Sunday

By Meiramgul Kussainova

NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (AA) - Kazakhstan will hold a referendum on constitutional reform on Sunday.

The reform that will be voted on is the second in the country’s history after 27 years.

It is aimed to amend one-third of the current constitution that was accepted by the popular vote on Aug. 30, 1995.

The reform, which was promoted to the nation by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on March 16, intends to introduce a new governance model to the country.

Therefore, the reform package initiated a new era in the country that is also called New Kazakhstan or the second republic period.

- Proposed amendments

According to the draft that will be voted on Sunday, the new constitution will clearly state that Kazakh soil, along with natural sources under the earth, belongs to the nation.

The final penal that applies to terror crimes will be abolished.

The president and personnel of the law enforcement agencies and armed forces will not be able to be a member of political parties.

The Constitutional Council will be re-formed as the Constitutional Court that will be active from Jan. 1, 2023.

The reform will also strengthen the parliament and invoke the president’s right to invoke decisions by regional governors and municipality mayors.

The number of deputies appointed by the president to the parliament will be decreased from 15 to 10.

Ratification of the laws will be made only by the lower chamber of the parliament.