Tazeen Akhtar,
Turning a new leaf in the life of a nation is a very critical stage when the things can go right as well as wrong but in case of Republic of Kazakhstan, the change in the state is going straight with high hopes that the nation will soon reach at the final destination envisioned by the present leadership of the biggest economy of Central Asia. The whole nation and especially the youth of the country is playing their central role in the renewal of the strategies and policies that the independent observers are appreciating and other nations are expected to embrace the same to tackle the hindrances in the way to success and achievement of national objectives of well being of the citizens.
The vision of the leader in his formula of “A strong President – An influential Parliament -A responsible Government” expresses the whole set of constitutional reforms in few keywords. It also proves that the Head of State is committed to his leadership role to lead the nation out of financial and political challenges with success in bright colors. It is promising for the future of the state as it maintains a balance among the power system as well that is central element to reach the decisions making only in the vast interest and benefit of the nation.
The republic of Kazakhstan has been working on the transformation for at least last one year to bring a better governance and more participation of the public in state affairs. This goal is expected to be achieved in near future after the newly elected representatives of the citizens are all set to move forward with the comprehensive constitutional reforms that have curtailed the powers of the government and added to the rights of the citizens to take them to a New Kazakhstan. Its clear demonstration was observed at 32nd Assembly of People of Kazakhstan (AKP)on 27 April 2023.
The annual session of AKP is held every year but the latest session was unique in a sense that representation of all communities was in full swing with glittering faces and shining eyes. The participants of AKP were wearing different outfits of their own traditions but their allegiance towards a united single state was also clearly noted there. People from all communities, walks of life, of all age groups, males and females were sitting in the hall to listen to the President who was addressing them after the historical elections of the Mazhilis (the lower chamber of the Kazakh parliament) and the maslikhats (local administrative bodies).
The elections were held on 19 March 2023 and they were in continuation of the transforming process that was initiated by the President Kassym Jomart Tokayev in last year. Kazakhstan has seen four electoral events since then and that proves the sustained support of the government as well as the public to amend the constitution with addition of more people friendly articles. New democratic principles have found the way in the country to flourish and be strengthened for the next generations.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev first proposed holding elections to the Mazhilis and Maslikhats in his Address to the Nation on September 1 last year.This legislative election constitutes the final stage in the political renewal cycle initiated by President Tokayev, which started with a presidential election on November 20 last year and continued with a Senate election on January 14 this year.
Significant changes have been made to the electoral system in comparison to the previous elections following constitutional amendments last year. In particular, a proportional-majoritarian model was used for the first time since 2004, where 30 percent of Mazhilis members are elected in single-member districts.
Now the republic has been blessed with refreshed democratic mandate and democratic principles that are prerequisite for the development of a state passing through a defining and constructive phase. Now the parliament is powerful, influential and determined to implement the reforms in their true sense and spirit. The citizens are satisfied and believe in the capabilities of the national and regional assemblies and the mayors.
The president has limited powers now on the contrary of the past when the president was the powerhouse of the whole transmission lines spread in vast areas and remote regions of the country that created problems on many sides including the political unrest and dissatisfaction among the public on the governance system of the state. President Tokayev’s actions are appreciative for sharing the power with other institutions of the state and representatives of the people. The most considerable and admirable steps of the President are : One terms only and no relative as head of any institution or state body, no family member to be the member of any legislature.
The republic is moving forward on the nationally agreed roadmap of good governance with clear objectives and proper homework to reach the milestones.President rightly noted, “the highest value is stability”, as progress and prosperity exist only where there is stability. That is why the President called for the unity of the people as the key to the successful implementation of reforms. I witnessed this unity at the 32nd APK in Astana.
Direct elections of rural mayors are also among the notable change in the political culture. The mayors can play important role in the implementation of the reforms at the gross root level in more effective manner as the local influential and trusted officials. This is the best measure known in the world so far to engage the commoners in the affairs of the state that is said to be the symbol of the success of a state.
Kazakhstan accelerated the transformation after faced challenges in January last year. As Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin had interactions with Pakistan media in Islamabad and as I listened to the DFM Mr. Roman and President H.H Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in my visit to Astana, the leadership of the country did the needful timely in the required direction to prepare the new strategy with reformation of the constitution for the people of Kazakhstan.
(The author is editor of national newspaper and international magazine in Islamabad, He visited Astana recently as observer of the outcome of the Elections 19 March 2023)
