Today, Petropavlovsk hosted a meeting of the National Expert Platform “KazISS GPS: Gylym. Pikir. Sayasat” dedicated to the topic “The New Constitutional Architecture of Kazakhstan: A Regional Perspective.”
The event was organized by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KazISS). The discussion brought together leading experts, representatives of the academic community, lawyers, political scientists, heads of non-governmental organizations, and members of the region’s Public Council.
Participants discussed the regional dimension of constitutional reforms, the role of local self-government and civil society in implementing the new Constitution, as well as the development of public dialogue, political parties, and new institutions for public participation.
Opening the meeting, Zhandos Shaimardanov, Director of KazISS under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, noted that the adoption of the new Constitution marked the beginning of a new stage in the country’s development, based on the principles of justice, the rule of law, accountability, and equal opportunities.
The Director of KazISS emphasized that the new political architecture strengthens the role of political parties, which are expected to engage in systematic work with the population. The establishment of the Qazaqstan Halyq Kenesi (People’s Council of Kazakhstan) creates additional opportunities for representing regional interests and fostering public dialogue. He also highlighted the potential of the North Kazakhstan Region in developing a modern agricultural economy, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and innovation.
Sergey Khudyakov, Director of the Institute for Local Self-Government Development, noted that the new Constitution has strengthened the powers of maslikhats and expanded opportunities related to local budgets, public oversight, and the Participatory Budget. He also emphasized that the upcoming elections to the Kurultai are taking place as part of the country’s consistent political modernization and represent a logical continuation of the constitutional reforms.
Dariga Smailova, Chairperson of the North Kazakhstan Regional Youth Association “Assembleya Zhastary” and a member of the Public Council of the North Kazakhstan Region, spoke about the importance of engaging young people in public and political life. According to the speaker, participation in elections is not only a constitutional right but also an important expression of civic responsibility.
Assel Yesszhanova, Deputy Chairperson of the Association of Legal Entities “Civil Alliance for the North Kazakhstan Region Association,” noted that a key feature of the new electoral model is the transition to a fully proportional system, under which all 145 members of the Kurultai will be elected from party lists. In her view, this approach strengthens the role of political parties, shifts competition toward political platforms and team-based responsibility, encourages party renewal, and helps reduce populism.
Timur Alzhanov, a representative of the North Kazakhstan Regional Youth Maslikhat, noted that the current electoral campaign responds to public demand for the renewal of the political system. According to him, political parties have renewed their leadership, are attracting young leaders, and are offering society new ideas and programmes.
Participants of the National Expert Platform “KazISS GPS” concluded that the successful implementation of the new Constitution will largely depend on the active participation of the regions, the development of local self-government and civil society institutions, and sustained dialogue between the state and citizens.
