Kazakhstan introduces new set of political reforms days after Parliamentary polls

New Delhi: President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, close on the heels of Parliamentary polls presented a new initiative consisting of a third package of political reforms aimed at increasing the institutional development of the political system in Kazakhstan and strengthening mechanisms for protecting human rights.

The implementation of this initiative will strengthen the system of protecting human rights, expanding civic participation, developing parliamentary policies and a multi-party system, and imparting more democracy to the country, according to a statement by the Kazakhstan Foreign Ministry.

The statement indicated that the third package of political reforms proposed by President Tokayev included strengthening the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (including the creation of its regional offices) and the adoption of an additional law on the Commissioner for Human Rights – the ombudsman (the law will streamline the activities of this institution in various areas and sectors).


Tokayev proposed the reforms -- Reduce the threshold for political parties to gain seats in the Mazhilis (lower house of parliament) from 7% to 5% ; After the introduction of elections of rural akims (Mayors) starting in 2021, Kazakhstan will then proceed to the election of district akims ; Introduce the option "against all" in the ballots for all future elections; Legally formalise the institution of online petitions; Adopt an additional law on the Commissioner for Human Rights – the ombudsman (the law will streamline the activities of this institution in various areas and sectors); Strengthen the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (including the creation of its regional offices); Implementation of the Youth Development Index to evaluate the efficiency of youth policy and provide measures to stimulate the activities of charities.

The first package of reforms was presented at the meeting of the National Council of Public Trust on December 20, 2019. They were implemented ahead of the parliamentary elections which took place on 10th January, 2021. The second package of political reforms was put forward by President Tokayev on September 1, 2020, in his address to the people of Kazakhstan.