Political history of Kazakhstan since 1991

A sourced atlas of statehood, constitutions, elections, governments, parliament and institutional reforms.

Political atlas since 1991

Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan

1991-12-16

The constitutional law on state independence was adopted.

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First Constitution of independent Kazakhstan

1993-01-28

The Supreme Council adopted the 1993 Constitution.

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1995 Constitution

1995-08-30

The Constitution was adopted by republican referendum.

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Bicameral Parliament begins work

1996-01-30

Parliament, comprising the Senate and Mazhilis, began work.

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1998 constitutional reform

1998-10-07

Terms of office and selected rules for forming state bodies were changed.

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2007 constitutional reform

2007-05-21

Party representation was expanded and the powers of several institutions changed.

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2017 redistribution of powers

2017-03-10

Some powers were redistributed among the President, Government and Parliament.

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2019 presidential transition

2019-03-20

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev assumed the presidency after Nursultan Nazarbayev ended his mandate.

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January 2022 events

2022-01-02

Mass protests, a state of emergency and the ensuing institutional decisions marked a political turning point.

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2022 constitutional referendum

2022-06-05

Voters approved constitutional amendments changing the institutional balance and rights-protection mechanisms.

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Early presidential election

2022-11-20

A presidential election was held after the introduction of a single seven-year term.

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Election of the eighth Mazhilis

2023-03-19

The election used a mixed system of party lists and single-member districts.

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Referendum on a new Constitution

2026-03-15

A new Constitution was adopted by republican referendum.

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Transition to a unicameral Kurultai

2026-07-01

The new constitutional model took effect and the former bicameral Parliament ended its mandate.

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First Kurultai election

2026-08-23

Voting took place in a single nationwide district.

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Final Kurultai election results

2026-08-25

The CEC certified 74.08% turnout and allocated 145 seats among five parties.

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