ale: 96%

Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Kazakstan
conventional short form: Kazakstan
local long form: Qazaqstan Respublikasy
local short form: none
former: Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code: KZ

Type of government: republic

Capital: Almaty

Administrative divisions: 19 oblystar (singular - oblys) and 1
city (qalalar, singular - qala)*; Almaty Qalasy*, Almaty Oblysy,
Aqmola Oblysy, Aqtobe Oblysy, Atyrau Oblysy, Batys Qazaqstan Oblysy
(Oral), Kokshetau Oblysy, Mangghystau Oblysy (Aqtau), Ongtustik
Qazaqstan Oblysy (Shymkent), Pavlodar Oblysy, Qaraghandy Oblysy,
Qostanay Oblysy, Qyzylorda Oblysy, Semey Oblysy, Shyghys Qazaqstan
Oblysy (Oskemen; formerly Ust'-Kamenogorsk), Soltustik Qazaqstan
Oblysy (Petropavl), Taldyqorghan Oblysy, Torghay Oblysy, Zhambyl
Oblysy, Zhezqazghan Oblysy
note: names in parentheses are administrative centers when name
differs from oblys name

Independence: 16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

National holiday: Independence Day, 16 December (1991)

Constitution: adopted 28 January 1993; has been amended in April
1995 and August 1995

Legal system: based on civil law system

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV (since 22 February
1990) was elected chairman of the Supreme Soviet 22 February 1990,
and president by popular election 1 December 1991; was elected for a
five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 1 December
1991 (next to be held NA 2000); results - Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV
ran unopposed; note - President NAZARBAYEV's term was extended to
the year 2000 by a nationwide referendum held 30 April 1995
head of government: Prime Minister Akezhan KAZHEGELDIN (since 12
October 1994) and First Deputy Prime Ministers Nigmatzhan ISINGARIN
(since 12 October 1994) were appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
note: President NAZARBAYEV has expanded his presidential powers by
decree: only he can initiate constitutional amendments, appoint and
dismiss the government, dissolve parliament, call referenda at his
discretion, and appoint administrative heads of regions and cities

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: elections (indirect) last held 5 December 1995 (next to be
held NA 1999); results - percent of vo