The current constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, endorsed in a national referendum in August 1995 and ratified the following month, replaces an earlier constitution adopted in the wake of independence from the Soviet Union. The constitution provides for a democratic, secular state and a presidential system of rule. State governance is divided among the executive, legislative and judicial branches.
Political diversity is recognised along with the right to own private property.
The president is considered the head of state, a post held by Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev since 1991. In October 1998, the constitution was amended to provide for a seven-year presidential term. The first election under this constitution was held in January 1999 and resulted in the re-election of President Nazarbayev. Elections to these bodies were held for the first time in December 1995. The 47-member Senate is made up of two representatives from each of Kazakhstan's 19 regions and capital serving terms of either two or four years.