Parliament of Kazakhstan The Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the bicameral legislature of Kazakhstan, consisting of the upper house, the Senate, and the lower house, the Mäjilis. Both chambers conduct legislative sessions at the Parliament House in the cap ...

Senate A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...

Constitution of Kazakhstan The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the highest law of Kazakhstan, as stated in Article 4. The Constitution was approved by a constitutional referendum on 30 August 1995.1995 constitutional referendum, the Mäjilis was first convened in 1996. The chamber plays role in the legislative process, debating and passing laws, where lawmakers discuss key issues facing the country and propose solutions to address them by representing the interests of constituents. With a membership of 98 deputies, the chamber is led by a Mäjilis chairman and convenes in the Parliament Building situated in the Kazakhstan's capital city of

Astana Astana is the capital city of Kazakhstan. With a population of 1,423,726 within the city limits, it is the second-largest in the country after Almaty, which had been the capital until 1997. The city lies on the banks of the Ishim (river), Ishim ...

. Deputies of Mäjilis are directly elected to five-year terms, with the electoral process employing a mixed voting system, where 70% of the seats are distributed under party lists with a 5%

election threshold The electoral threshold, or election threshold, is the minimum share of votes that a candidate or political party requires before they become entitled to representation or additional seats in a legislature. This limit can operate in various w ...

, and the other 30% are allocated through

first-past-the-post First-past-the-post (FPTP)—also called choose-one, first-preference plurality (FPP), or simply plurality—is a single-winner voting rule. Voters mark one candidate as their favorite, or First-preference votes, first-preference, and the cand ...

(FPTP) in 29 single-member

constituencies An electoral (congressional, legislative, etc.) district, sometimes called a constituency, riding, or ward, is a geographical portion of a political unit, such as a country, state or province, city, or administrative region, created to provi ...

. Throughout its existence, the composition of the Mäjilis has been shaped by varying electoral systems and legislative reforms. From 1995 to 1999, it operated under the FPTP system before transitioning to a

mixed-member majoritarian representation Mixed-member majoritarian representation (MMM) is type of a mixed electoral system combining winner-take-all and proportional methods, where the disproportional results of the winner-take-all part are dominant over the ''proportional'' compon ...

from 1999 to 2007, which blended constituency-based and party-list systems. Subsequent 2007 amendments saw the adoption of a

party-list proportional representation Party-list proportional representation (list-PR) is a system of proportional representation based on preregistered Political party, political parties, with each party being Apportionment (politics), allocated a certain number of seats Apportionm ...

system from 2007 to 2023, fostering the consolidation of political parties and the emergence of Amanat as the

party of power The term "party of power" refers to a political party that has a close relationship with the executive branch of government such that the party appears to function as an extension of the executive rather than as an autonomous political organizat ...

. Notably, the chamber reverted to a mixed electoral system following the 2022 constitutional referendum, integrating proportional representation and constituency-based voting. Moreover, the Mäjilis has encountered instances of early dissolution, which impacted the convocation terms of the Parliament and the governance of Kazakhstan. Over the years, the Mäjilis has gained significant authority, including the power to approve governmental appointments by the president.

History

After the 1995 Kazakh constitutional referendum, held on 30 August 1995, which saw overwhelming approval by voters for a new draft of the

Constitution of Kazakhstan The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the highest law of Kazakhstan, as stated in Article 4. The Constitution was approved by a constitutional referendum on 30 August 1995.bicameralism Bicameralism is a type of legislature that is divided into two separate Deliberative assembly, assemblies, chambers, or houses, known as a bicameral legislature. Bicameralism is distinguished from unicameralism, in which all members deliberate ...

. This new structure included the establishment of the Mäjilis, the lower house of

Parliament In modern politics and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: Representation (politics), representing the Election#Suffrage, electorate, making laws, and overseeing ...

. The first

parliamentary elections A general election is an electoral process to choose most or all members of a governing body at the same time. They are distinct from by-elections, which fill individual seats that have become vacant between general elections. General elections ...

under this framework were held in December 1995, with all seats in both houses contested. However, the initial vote was inconclusive in some instances, necessitating runoff elections to fill 23 seats in the Mäjilis. These elections were marred by procedural violations, as reported by international observers. The newly formed parliament convened on 30 January 1996, and included a total of 99 members, with 68 Kazakh and 31 Russian representatives, as well as 10 female deputies. In the wake of the 2004 elections, the Otan party emerged as the first political faction to secure a majority in the Mäjilis. This majority was further strengthened following the 2006 merger of Otan with the Asar,

Civic Party The Civic Party (CP) was a pro-democracy camp, pro-democracy liberalism in Hong Kong, liberal political party from March 2006 to May 2023 in Hong Kong. The party was formed in 2006 on the basis of the Article 45 Concern Group, Basic Law Ar ...

, and Agrarian Party, significantly increasing its seats in the legislative body. A key turning point came with the constitutional amendments of 2007, which expanded the number of seats in the Mäjilis from 77 to 107. For the first time, the 2007 parliamentary elections introduced a

party-list proportional representation Party-list proportional representation (list-PR) is a system of proportional representation based on preregistered Political party, political parties, with each party being Apportionment (politics), allocated a certain number of seats Apportionm ...

system, with 98 of the 107 seats being contested via

proportional representation Proportional representation (PR) refers to any electoral system under which subgroups of an electorate are reflected proportionately in the elected body. The concept applies mainly to political divisions (Political party, political parties) amon ...

. The reforms solidified the position of

Nur Otan Amanat (; ; officially stylized in all caps), previously known as Nur Otan (; ), is a Ruling party, ruling List of political parties in Kazakhstan, political party of Kazakhstan and the largest political association in the country, with around 8 ...

(the renamed Otan party), which won all of the contested seats, effectively eliminating any serious opposition in the Mäjilis. Despite some minor opposition gains in subsequent years, the 2012 parliamentary elections saw the Aq Jol and the Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan entering the Mäjilis. However, Nur Otan continued to maintain its

party of power The term "party of power" refers to a political party that has a close relationship with the executive branch of government such that the party appears to function as an extension of the executive rather than as an autonomous political organizat ...

status, ensuring the party’s control over the legislative process. Further electoral reforms were introduced with constitutional amendments in 2021 and 2022, which eliminated the nine seats previously reserved for the

Assembly of People of Kazakhstan The Assembly of People of Kazakhstan () is a national political body in Kazakhstan consisting of delegates of the Regional Assemblies of the People. Its task is to represent the various ethnic groups that make up the Central Asian state at nation ...

. Additionally, the

electoral threshold The electoral threshold, or election threshold, is the minimum share of votes that a candidate or political party requires before they become entitled to representation or additional seats in a legislature. This limit can operate in various ...

for parties to gain representation in the Mäjilis was lowered from 7% to 5%, and

single-member constituencies A single-member district or constituency is an electoral district represented by a single officeholder. It contrasts with a Multiwinner voting, multi-member district, which is represented by multiple officeholders. In some countries, such as ...

were reintroduced, reshaping the way elections were conducted and increasing political representation at the local level. Despite these changes, Amanat continued to dominate the political landscape, reflecting the ongoing consolidation of power within the ruling party.

Composition

The Mäjilis is composed of 98 directly-elected members. Elections of Mäjilis deputies are held every five years (unless a

snap election A snap election is an election that is called earlier than the one that has been scheduled. Snap elections in parliamentary systems are often called to resolve a political impasse such as a hung parliament where no single political party has a ma ...

is called earlier) and are elected through

mixed-member majoritarian representation Mixed-member majoritarian representation (MMM) is type of a mixed electoral system combining winner-take-all and proportional methods, where the disproportional results of the winner-take-all part are dominant over the ''proportional'' compon ...

: 69 seats via closed

party-list proportional representation Party-list proportional representation (list-PR) is a system of proportional representation based on preregistered Political party, political parties, with each party being Apportionment (politics), allocated a certain number of seats Apportionm ...

with a required 5%

electoral threshold The electoral threshold, or election threshold, is the minimum share of votes that a candidate or political party requires before they become entitled to representation or additional seats in a legislature. This limit can operate in various ...

to win seats (which are allocated according to the

largest remainder method Party-list proportional representation Apportionment methods The quota or divide-and-rank methods make up a category of apportionment rules, i.e. algorithms for allocating seats in a legislative body among multiple groups (e.g. parties or f ...

), and 29 seats via

first-past-the-post First-past-the-post (FPTP)—also called choose-one, first-preference plurality (FPP), or simply plurality—is a single-winner voting rule. Voters mark one candidate as their favorite, or First-preference votes, first-preference, and the cand ...

in

single-member constituencies A single-member district or constituency is an electoral district represented by a single officeholder. It contrasts with a Multiwinner voting, multi-member district, which is represented by multiple officeholders. In some countries, such as ...

. Since 2021, Article 89 of the Constitutional Law "On Elections" requires for parties to include at least 30% quota of women, young people (aged under 29), and disabled persons within their electoral lists.

Leadership

The

Chairman of the Mäjilis The Chairman of the Mäjilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan (; ) is a presiding officer of the lower house Mäjilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, and is responsible for opening sessions, preside over regular and extraordinary ...

heads the lower chamber and is elected by the Mäjilis deputies. The Mäjilis chairman opens sessions, convenes regular joint sessions and chairs the regular and extraordinary joint sessions of the Parliament. The Mäjilis chairmen is assisted by two Deputy Chairpersons who nominates them and are elected by the deputies of the Mäjilis. The Deputy Chairpersons of the Mäjilis carry out tasks made by the chairman who take on certain responsibilities if he or she is not able to.

Members

The term of office of the Mäjilis deputies is five years. Regular elections for Mäjilis are held no later than two months before the end of the term of office of the current convocation of the

Parliament In modern politics and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: Representation (politics), representing the Election#Suffrage, electorate, making laws, and overseeing ...

.

Snap election A snap election is an election that is called earlier than the one that has been scheduled. Snap elections in parliamentary systems are often called to resolve a political impasse such as a hung parliament where no single political party has a ma ...

s of Mäjilis deputies are held within two months from the date of the early termination of the powers of the Mazhilis. A member of the Mäjilis can be a person who has reached 25 years of age, is a citizen of Kazakhstan and has permanently resided in its territory for the last ten years. Deprivation of a deputy of the Mäjilis of the Parliament of the mandate may be made when: * Withdrawal or expulsion of a deputy from a political party from which, in accordance with the constitutional law, he was elected * Termination of the activity of a political party, from which, in accordance with the constitutional law, the deputy was elected

Committees

The Mäjilis is composed of seven committees: * Committee on Agrarian Issues * Committee on Legislation and Judicial and Legal Reform * Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security * Committee on Social and Cultural Development * Committee on Finance and Budget * Committee on Issues of Ecology and Environmental Management * Committee for Economic Reform and Regional Development

Powers

According to the

Constitution of Kazakhstan The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the highest law of Kazakhstan, as stated in Article 4. The Constitution was approved by a constitutional referendum on 30 August 1995.Parliament In modern politics and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: Representation (politics), representing the Election#Suffrage, electorate, making laws, and overseeing ...

and consideration of these drafts; * By a majority vote of the total number of deputies of the chamber, giving consent to the

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...

for the appointment of the Prime Minister * Announcement of the next presidential elections * Exercise of other powers assigned by the Constitution * The Mäjilis, by a majority of votes from the total number of Mazhilis members, on the initiative of at least one fifth of the total number of the members, has the right to express a vote of no confidence in the Government.

List of Convocations

Latest election

Results of the 2023 Kazakh legislative election

References

External links

Parliament website

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Kazakhstan Kazakhstan, officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a landlocked country primarily in Central Asia, with a European Kazakhstan, small portion in Eastern Europe. It borders Russia to the Kazakhstan–Russia border, north and west, China to th ...

1996 establishments in Kazakhstan

History

Composition

Leadership

Members

Committees

Powers

List of Convocations

Latest election

See also

References

External links