President Tokayev proposes a referendum on Constitutional reforms

Nur-Sultan, 29 April 2022 – The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, took part today in the XXXI session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, titled "The unity of the people is the basis of a renewed Kazakhstan." During the meeting, the Head of State covered the role of the Assembly, priorities and tasks in building a New Kazakhstan, political reforms, as well as the importance of national unity.

President Tokayev stressed that the amendments to the Constitution mean a new phase in the development of Kazakhstan’s statehood. In this regard, the President proposed holding a referendum in Kazakhstan on the draft amendments to the Constitution. He said: “The referendum is the most important democratic institution. It will allow every citizen to take a direct part in deciding the fate of the country and will strengthen our course towards comprehensive democratisation and the construction of a New Kazakhstan.”

On the topic of building a New Kazakhstan, the President outlined several important priorities and tasks. He said: “To build a New Kazakhstan, we need to completely reformat the system of individual and social values, adding that the New Kazakhstan should become “a land of justice”. The Head of State noted that the reform of the party and electoral systems opens new opportunities for the participation of all citizens in the electoral processes, adding that the emergence of new political parties is expected, which will cover almost the entire electoral landscape. He said: “I am sure that party lists, as well as the election of candidates in single-mandate districts, will reflect the ethnic diversity of Kazakhstan.”

On the issue of elections, the leader of Kazakhstan explained that the abolition of the quota of the Assembly of the People in the Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament) removes several existing issues related to the observance of democratic electoral standards. At the same time, “Senators from the Assembly will effectively represent the entire set of interests of the ethnic groups of Kazakhstan on the basis of national integration and ethno-cultural diversity.” He added that “the Assembly should develop effective and transparent procedures for the selection of candidates for the Senate.”

Speaking further about the role of the Assembly of the People, the Head of State emphasized that the undoubted merit of the organisation is that over the years of its existence it has contributed to the strengthening of civil unity. He said: “I am sure that in the new realities, the Assembly will continue to serve as a solid institutional policy of peace and harmony”, adding that “it is fundamentally important that representatives of all ethnic groups living in our country share common civic values ​​and associate themselves with Kazakhstan. This is our great achievement over the years of Independence, and we are obliged to strengthen it comprehensively.”

On the issue of national unity, the President stressed that “it is unacceptable that external conflicts that have been and will be used to incite interethnic hatred and form fault lines among our citizens.”  He emphasized that provocateurs “should not and will not be able to undermine our unity, the right of our state to pursue an independent policy.” In this regard, the President stated that the state language of the country is the Kazakh language, but other languages also occupy its due place, including in the fundamental law of Kazakhstan. He said: “Measures need to be taken to strengthen the status of the Kazakh language, but not to the detriment of any other language and, moreover, not to discriminate against any other languages and citizens who speak other languages.”

In conclusion, the Head of State emphasized that the principle of "different views, but one nation" is unshakable, adding that “our state will become fair and developed, providing equal opportunities to every citizen.”