Administrative-Legal Status of Political Parties in the Republic of Kazakhstan: State and Issues

Abstract. This article explores theoretical and practical aspects of administrative-legal regulation of the status of political parties in the Republic of Kazakhstan in the contemporary era. It notes that the norms of the Constitution, which establish general principles of relations between the state and societal institutions and citizens' right to freedom of association, participation in political life, and governance, serve as a guideline for regulating the status of political parties in the current legislation of the country. Based on a critical analysis of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Political Parties" and other laws regulating the activities of parties and their relationships with state bodies, as well as the practice of their implementation, inconsistencies of certain provisions are identified in terms of compliance with the Constitution and norms of international law, along with other shortcomings. The authors examine the experience of legal regulation of the functioning of political parties in developed democratic states and through a comparative analysis with Kazakhstan's legislation, identify its main positive aspects. The article formulates recommendations for improving the national Law of the Republic "On Political Parties." Suggestions include increasing funding for parties that have not received parliamentary mandates in Majilis Parliament elections and maslikhats, transitioning from a permission-based system of state party registration to a notification-based system, and others.The main conclusion of the study is the necessity for a fundamental liberalization of administrative-legal regulation of the formation, functioning, and activities of political parties to shape a democratic, pluralistic, competitive political system, ensuring constitutional freedom of citizens' associations, including political parties.