According to the Constitution, the Parliament consists of two chambers. The Lower House, the Mazhilis, consists of 67 Members of Parliament (MPs), who represent all regions and are elected by universal suffrage.

The Upper House of Parliament, the Senate, consists of 47 MPs. Of these, 40 are elected by the regional ‘legislative’ branches (oblast maslikhats) and 7 are nominated directly by the President.

Members of the Senate and Mazhilis have four year terms in office. The last Parliamentary election was held in December 1995.

Legislative activity is the major function of the Parliament. Other functions include approving members of the Government, ratifying international treaties, and other traditional parliamentary functions including ceremonial duties.

Usually, draft laws must be initially discussed in the committees and subcommittees of the Mazhilis, and then at a Mazhilis session. The upper chamber starts primary hearings and discussions after the draft law is passed in the lower chamber. The Senate makes final decisions on draft laws at its plenary sessions Laws are enacted if the President signs them; the President has veto rights.

The municipal level of legislature is represented by Maslikhats at oblast and district levels. Members of the Maslikhats are elected by the inhabitants of the relevant administrative units; their term in office is four years.

The Maslikhat's scope of authority includes: approval of the district’s social and economic programmes, approval of local budgets and reports on their execution, and resolving issues relating to administrative and territorial structure.