Several of the proposed amendments to the Constitution were adopted today, according to gazeta.kz in the first reading. Other proposals will be discussed further in a second session on May 18.
Proposals passed today include:

1. The number of Parliament members will indeed be increased as proposed.
2. Mazhilis will be selected by Party slates
3. Parliament will select two-thirds of the Constitutional Council, two-thirds of the Central Election Committee and likewise two-thirds of the Accounting Committee (which audits use of budget funds)
4. Regional advisory organs (Mashilkhats) will serve a 5-year term instead of the current 4 year term
5. The ban on government funding of civil society organizations was lifted

In addition, as per the President’s speech, mechanisms for developing government funding of political parties will be created, and there will be discussion of abolishing capital punishment.

It is not clear currently what amendments will be discussed in two days time, but I will try to post timely updates and as always I am grateful to commenters who correct my mistakes or point me in the direction of good information!

Today, a joint-session of Kazakhstan’s Parliament is meeting to discuss and possibly approve Constitutional Amendments. The President will be present along with the Prime Minister, the akims of the oblasts and major cities, and representatives of the President’s Administration. According to the head of the Constitutional Commission, the proposed amendments will:

• increase the role of political fractions in both forming the government, and writing laws
• increase the role of political parties
• raise the number of members of both the Mazhilis or lower house of Parliament, and the Senate.
• increase the role of civil society organizations.
• introduce an independent court system
• Other reforms will touch upon the procurator’s office and policing bodies that carry out preliminary investigations and inquests.

The Head of the Constitutional Commission did not give details on these reforms, however, the President in his address at the joint-session introduced perhaps the most notable reform, (more…)