Status of the Parliament of RK

Status of the Parliament of RK

Parliament of RK is
the highest representative body of the Republic
performing legislative functions.

Parliament consists of two Chambers acting on a permanent basis:
the Senate and
the Mazhilis.

Structure of the Parliament of RK

The Senate is composed of deputies:
Elected in twos from each regions (14 oblasts+Astana and Almaty), at a joint session of the deputies of all representative bodies of the regions.
15 deputies of the Senate are appointed by the President.

The Mazhilis consists of 107 deputies.
98 deputies are elected on the basis of the Party Lists.
9 deputies are elected by the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan.

Term of the powers of deputies of the Senate is 6 years.
Term of the powers of deputies of the Mazhilis is 5 years.

Elections

Elections of the deputies of the Mazhilis is carried out on the basis of:
Universal,
Equal,
Direct electoral right (suffrage)
Under secret ballot.
Only those political parties which received not less than 7 percent of votes are admitted to distribution of deputy mandates on the basis of Party Lists.


Elections of the deputies of the Senate are carried out on the basis of:
Indirect electoral right
Under secret ballot.
Half of the elected deputies of the Senate are re-elected every three years.

Status of the Deputies

They have no right
to hold other paid offices, except teaching, research and creative activities,
to engage in entrepreneurial activity
Violation of these rules results in the termination of a deputy's powers.

During the term of office, they may not be arrested, detained, arraigned on an administrative or criminal charge without the consent of a respective Chamber
except for the cases of being apprehended on the scene of a crime or committing grave crimes.

Most Important Competences of the Parliament

to amend the Constitution (by 3/4 of votes) at the proposal of the President;

to adopt laws and in particular to approve the republican budget and taxes
In case of the President’s veto to confirm the law by the majority of 2/3 of votes.
In this event the President must sign the law.

to give consent to the appointment of the Prime-Minister (done by Mazhilis).

to express a vote of no confidence to the Government (done by Mazhilis)

to issue acts of amnesty to citizens;

to ratify and denounce international treaties.

to decide issues of war and peace;
and of the use of the Armed Forces abroad at the proposal of the President.

Legislative Process: Initiative and Stages

The right of a legislative initiative belongs to:

the deputies of Parliament,
the Government; and
the President (who may charge the Government to prepare a draft of law)


STAGES:

1) A draft of law is considered by the deputies of the Mazhilis;
if approved by the majority of votes;

2) It is transmitted to the Senate;
If it is approved by the majority of votes of deputies of the Senate;

3) It may be considered by the Constitutional Council with respect to its compliance with the Constitution (if the Council is requested to do so!) ;
If the draft is approved,

4) It is submitted to the President to be signed within ten days.
Laws of the Republic come into effect after they are signed by the President.

Dissolution of the Parliament

The President may dissolve:
the Parliament or
the Mazhilis of the Parliament

after the consultations with the Chairpersons of the Chambers of the Parliament and the Prime-Minister.