PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

The Parliament consists of two Chambers: Senate and Mazhilis acting on a constant basis.

About Parliament

According to the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, adopted at the republican referendum on August 30, 1995, the bicameral Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the highest representative body of the Republic exercising legislative power.

The organization and activity of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the legal status of its deputies are determined by the Constitution, the Constitutional Law "On the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Status of its deputies" and other legislative acts.

The powers of the Parliament begin with the opening of its first session and end with the beginning of the first session of the Parliament of the new convocation.
The term of office of the Parliament is determined by the term of office of the deputies of the Mazhilis of the next convocation.

Early termination of the powers of the Parliament may be carried out only in the cases and in the manner provided for by the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Parliament consists of two Chambers: the Senate and the Mazhilis, acting on a permanent basis.

The Senate is formed by deputies representing, in accordance with the procedure established by the constitutional law, two people from each region, city of republican significance and the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Ten deputies of the Senate are appointed by the President of the Republic, five of whom are appointed on the proposal of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan. Half of the elected deputies of the Senate are re-elected every three years. The term of office of the Senate deputies is six years.

The Chamber is headed by a Chairman elected by the Senate from among deputies who are fluent in the state language, by secret ballot by a majority vote of the total number of deputies of the Chamber. A candidate for the position of Chairman of the Senate is nominated by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Mazhilis consists of ninety-eight deputies. Sixty–nine deputies are elected from political parties on party lists in a single nationwide electoral district, twenty-nine - in single-mandate territorial electoral districts on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. Regular elections of deputies of the Mazhilis are held no later than two months before the end of the term of office of the current convocation of Parliament. The term of office of the deputies of the Mazhilis is five years.

The Chamber is headed by the Chairman, elected by the Majilis from among the deputies who are fluent in the state language, by secret ballot by a majority vote of the total number of deputies of the Chambers. Candidates for the post of Chairman of the Mazhilis are nominated by deputies of the Chamber.