CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR HOLDING ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS IN TURKMENISTAN
The voter list – is the main document for holding elections and it must provide proper, accurate and clear indication of the personal data of registered citizens who have the right to vote. However, during elections same voter must not be allowed to register and vote twice in two locations, that is, in two polling stations.
The rules and regulations related to the compilation of voter lists are set out in section V of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan adopted on May 4, 2013.
This process is also regulated by the Law of Turkmenistan «On the Unified State Register of Voters» adopted on June 28, 2025. With the adoption of this Law, concept of a «voter’s electoral address» and its purpose were defined. Now let’s take a closer look at the concept of a «voter’s electoral address».
A voter’s electoral address – is the address of their permanent or preferential place of residence or their temporary place of stay. In other words, a voter’s electoral address can be of three types:
If a voter is identified who does not have a place of temporary stay, permanent or preferential residence, his or her electoral address is determined on the basis of a reasoned request in agreement with the body maintaining the Unified State Register of Voters.
The voting address of a military service member, as well as members of the military service member’s family and other voters located on the territory of a military unit – is the location address of the military unit.
The electoral address of persons subject to administrative punishment in the form of administrative arrest or in accordance with criminal-procedural legislation, a preventive measure in the form of arrest has been applied is the address of the penitentiary establishment where these persons are held.
The electoral address of a voter, who resides or temporarily located outside of Turkmenistan – his postal address in the country of residence (temporary stay).
The voter’s election address shall contain the following information:
1) country of residence (temporary stay);
2) velayat, city with the rights of a velayat and state significance, an etrap, city with the rights of an etrap, city within an etrap, settlement, gengeshlik and village of Turkmenistan or an administrative-territorial unit (state, province, district and others) of a foreign country of residence or temporary stay;
3) residential complex (number of buildings in the complex and others);
4) street (avenue, passage);
5) house number;
6) apartment number;
7) postal code;
8) voter’s postal address according to the rules of the country of residence (temporary stay);
9) other information that determines the electoral address.
In case of an appeal in connection with a change in the electoral address, voter submits to the leading State Register at the new electoral address an application, to which are attached documents (copies of documents) confirming the change in the voter’s electoral address.
In general, most voters vote at polling stations based on their permanent place of residence. However, the Registry maintenance group and relevant precinct election commission, based on a citizen’s reasoned request, may temporarily change a person’s voting location (polling station) for the period of the election without changing their main voting address.
For example, upon a reasoned request from a voter eligible to vote in an elections or referendums, the leading State Register and relevant election commission may temporarily change the voter’s polling place without changing their voting address. Such a request must be submitted by the voter to the polling station no later than 30 (thirty) days before voting day.
According to the legislation, a voter can be registered and vote only at one of the above three types of electoral address.
Amangeldi Gandymov,
Deputy chairman of the Central commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan.