Kazakhstan court annuls 'first leader' law

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Kazakhstan's Constitutional Court annulled on Wednesday canceled the law on the first President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

The Constitutional Court looked into the request of certain politicians but maintained that the law "On the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Elbasy" is incompatible with Kazakhstan's recent constitution, which was established by a referendum on June 5, 2022, a statement by the Court revealed, thus ending the exclusive rights and privileges that President Nursultan Nazarbayev once enjoyed for life.

The statement went on to say that the Constitutional Court believes that when the constitutional and legal grounds for a law's existence cease to exist, the law's legal fate should be decided.

“Laws and other regulatory legal acts are an integral part of the current law of the Republic of Kazakhstan if they comply with the Constitution of the Republic. The Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as the highest representative body of the republic in exercising legislative power, must ensure compliance with this constitutional requirement,” it further noted.

Kazakhstan's presidential election

After months of deadly turmoil that caused a historic change in the Central Asian nation, Kazakhs went to the polls on November 20 in presidential elections that were expected to strengthen the hold of the current President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Riots started in Kazakhstan when thousands of demonstrators took to the street to protest against the surging gas prices in the Central Asian nation. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev then declared a state of emergency in the west of the country and Almaty.

The violent demonstrations saw armed groups carrying out brutal attacks and operations that led to the death and injury of hundreds.