CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR HOLDING ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS IN TURKMENISTAN
The terms of authority of members of election commissions and other participants in the electoral process, as well as persons elected to state and local government bodies responsible for ensuring the organized hold of elections under democratic conditions, determined by the legislation of Turkmenistan. The relevant legislation of our country guarantees them the exercise of their powers within the established timeframes and in the prescribed manner.
In accordance with the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan members of election commissions, observers, representatives of the media and proxies representatives of candidates who are participants in the electoral process carry out their activities within the limits of their authority.
The mandate of observers and media representatives begins on the day of their registration and ends on the day of the official announcement of election results. The mandate of proxies representatives ends upon the establishment of election results.
The term of authority of all six levels of permanent electoral commissions in the country – that is the Central, velayat, etrap, city, etrap city, village, gengeshlik and precinct – is five years. Upon expiration of their terms, they are reconstituted every five years. The Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan is formed by the President of Turkmenistan. The terms of authority of all local election commissions are approved by a resolution adopted at a meeting of the relevant election commission.
Moreover, term of authority of the election commissions formed in connection with change in the administrative-territorial division corresponds to the term of authority of the corresponding election commissions previously formed on the territory of Turkmenistan.
For example, election commissions of etraps and cities throughout Turkmenistan were previously established in July 2021 with 5-year term of authority and in November 2025, due to changes in the administrative-territorial division, etrap election commissions were established in the Altyn Asyr etraps in the Ahal velayat, Garashsyzlyk and Gubadag in the Dashoguz velayat, Farap, Dovletli and Garabekevul in the Lebap velayat and Oguzhan in the Mary velayat.
Now, due to the expiration of the five-year term, all district and city election commissions previously established in July 2021 will be re-established throughout Turkmenistan in July 2026. In addition, in July 2026, etrap election commissions of the seven etraps that were established in November 2025 due to changes in Turkmenistan’s administrative-territorial division will be re-established.
In accordance with legislation of Turkmenistan, President of Turkmenistan is elected for a term of 7 years, deputies of the Mejlis, members of velayat, etrap, city Halk Maslahaty and Gengeshes – for 5 years.
The procedure for the inauguration of the elected President of Turkmenistan is determined by the Law of Turkmenistan “On the President of Turkmenistan”. The issue of recognizing the powers of Mejlis deputies, elected members of velayat etrap and city Halk Maslahaty and Gengeshs is considered at meetings of the Mejlis, at meetings of the velayat etrap and city Halk Maslahaty and Gengeshs.
However, term of authority of members elected in elections held due to changes in administrative-territorial divisions lasts until the next general election. This rule is also defined in the electoral legislation of some countries.
In cases, stipulated by the legislation of Turkmenistan, authority of members of election commissions, other participants in the electoral process, as well as persons elected to state authorities and local government bodies, may be terminated ahead of time.
Amangeldi Gandymov,
Deputy chairman of the Central commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan.