The third national forum of all-level maslikhat (local representative bodies) members was held in Astana, bringing together over 2,000 representatives from the country’s regions. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the event. He noted that strengthening representative government bodies remains one of the key priorities of state policy. Maslikhats have already become one of the country’s key institutions; however, further work in this direction is necessary, the Head of State emphasized. In particular, regions should pay special attention to careful budget planning and increasing revenues. To this end, the President said that members of maslikhats should be included in the budget commissions at local administrations.
«Starting this year, rural district budgets will receive additional sources of revenue, including taxes on the extraction of common minerals, the use of groundwater, and therapeutic mud. This is sound reasoning: revenue should be used to develop the areas where it is generated. Overall, regions are gaining more resources, and it is the task of maslikhats to ensure proper oversight of how these funds are spent,» Tokayev said.
The President also reminded about the upcoming referendum, which will take place this Sunday. The draft Constitution provides that members of the new unicameral Parliament will be elected based on a proportional basis. In this context, the Head of State emphasized that maslikhats should serve as a stepping stone for future Kurultai members. This will strengthen the role of political parties and elevate the level of legislative work. President Tokayev also addressed the international agenda, noting that the world has entered a period of turbulence, with rising geopolitical tensions and escalating trade wars. Yet Kazakhstan not only maintains steady development but also continues to implement its national development strategy consistently.
«A
new era has begun, and as a progressive nation, we must successfully adapt to
contemporary challenges, addressing them with our creative potential. The goal
of the large-scale reforms underway in the country is clear: to strengthen the
independence and sovereignty of the state, safeguard the rights and freedoms of
citizens, and improve the well-being of the people,» Tokayev added.
Kazakhstan to continue steady development thanks to updated Constitution, President Tokayev says
The President personally took part in drafting the text of the new Constitution, paying close attention to every chapter and article. He emphasized that the section on the protection of human rights and freedoms has become the most extensive, comprising 30 articles – nearly one-third of the Basic Law. Another clearly enshrined provision establishes that the Kazakh people are the sole source of power and the bearers of sovereignty. On March 15, every Kazakh citizen will be able to take part in this historic moment.
«This
Sunday, our people will make their choice. Undoubtedly, this referendum will
hold a special place in Kazakhstan’s history. If citizens approve the draft
Constitution, a fundamentally new and more effective political system will be
established in the country, ensuring long-term sustainable development,» Tokayev noted.
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