CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR HOLDING ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS IN TURKMENISTAN
Thanks to the tireless efforts of our esteemed President, who continues the visionary democratic initiatives of our Hero Arkadag, in our country, rights, freedoms and responsibilities of individuals and citizens are recognized in accordance with universally recognized norms of international law and guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of Turkmenistan. Turkmen society possesses a well-developed legal culture, recognized internationally.
Achieving a full and accurate understanding of the rights and responsibilities of every citizen in society and developing a legal culture are among the most important priorities of the state policy implemented in our country. In this regard, organized democratic elections in our country also play a vital role.
Section 5 of the Constitution of Turkmenistan entitled “Electoral System, Referendum” and its ten articles enshrine the fundamentals of electoral rights. In accordance with Article 119 of the Constitution, elections of the President of Turkmenistan, deputies of the Mejlis, members of velayat, etrap and city Halk Maslahaty and Gengeshes are conducted on the basis of universal and equal suffrage. Of course, holding elections openly, competitively and at a well-organized level is an important task for election commissions.
Under the leadership of our Hero Arkadagly Serdar, in the Revival of a new epoch of sovereign state, elections in the country are conducted in accordance with international standards and in an organized manner, their legal framework is constantly being improved.
It is worth noting that on June 28 of this year, Law of Turkmenistan “On the Unified State Register of Voters” was adopted at the 9th session of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan of the seventh convocation. The adoption of this Law, in accordance with the “Concept for the development of the digital economy in Turkmenistan for 2019-2025” and “State program for the development of the digital economy in Turkmenistan for 2021-2025,” will significantly improve the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to introduce a digital system into the electoral process at a modern level through the widespread use of information technology in the electoral system. This Law also demonstrates the formation of a strong legal culture in Turkmen society at a modern level.
The main objectives of the law – to organize and maintain records of voters’ personal data and to compile voter lists for all elections and national and local referendums held in the country. The law comes into force on January 1, 2026.
The Constitution of Turkmenistan and electoral legislation provide citizens with the opportunity to vote and be elected to government bodies in their country, guaranteeing universal, equal, direct and secret suffrage. The holding of direct elections in open conditions, guaranteed right to vote for Turkmen citizens over the age of eighteen, enshrined in the Constitution, testify to the strength of the legal foundations of the electoral system.
Holding elections openly and transparently allows everyone to fulfill their sacred civic duty and choose a worthy candidate. Experience shows that the participation of young people, who significantly enhance the honor and prestige of our Motherland, as well as the presence of first-time voters among them, creates an opportunity to enhance their political and legal literacy and culture. The improvement of Turkmenistan’s electoral system clearly demonstrates that our country has created a world-class legal framework in this area.
The various types of elections held in Independent, permanently Neutral Turkmenistan – a vivid manifestation of the ever-strengthening democratic foundations of our state and society, the principles of genuine popular sovereignty rooted in national traditions. International recognition that the elections held in our country at various levels are based on democratic principles also clearly confirms this.
We wish our esteemed President – Hero Arkadagly Serdar, who wisely continues the state and humanitarian undertakings of our National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero Arkadag and who leads his people to a happy future along the democratic path, health, long life and success in his noble work.
Gokjayev Allanur,
Main specialist of Organizational management of the Central commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan.