CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR HOLDING ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS IN TURKMENISTAN
As a result of the large-scale reforms implemented in our country under the wise leadership of our esteemed President Arkadagly Hero Serdar, elections in Independent, permanently Neutral Turkmenistan – are being held in accordance with democratic principles. This demonstrates the strengthening of the democratic foundations of our state and society, improvement of the principles of democracy.
Political parties and citizen groups undoubtedly play an important role in holding organized elections based on democratic principles. The basic principles include concepts such as the free and equal nomination of candidates, openness and freedom of speech during the election campaign. A candidate – is a citizen with the right to vote, nominated by political parties or a citizen group for an elected position or representative body on a competitive basis.
According to articles 44-47 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, the right to nominate candidates belongs to political parties registered before the day of the elections, as well as groups of citizens.
The holding of elections in Turkmenistan on a multi-party basis, that is with the participation of the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, the Agrarian Party of Turkmenistan, as well as citizen groups, demonstrates that elections are carried out in democratic conditions, based on the principles of democracy, openly and on a broad competitive basis, in accordance with international standards.
According to paragraph 2 of article 44 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, citizens of Turkmenistan who have reached the age of 25 (twenty-five) by election day and who have permanently resided in Turkmenistan for the previous 10 (ten) years may be nominated as candidates for deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. Citizens of Turkmenistan who have reached the age of 21 (twenty-one) by election day and resided in the relevant territory may be nominated as candidates for members of velayat, etrap and city halk maslahaty and Gengeshs.
According to paragraph 3 of article 44 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, the nomination of candidates begins 60 (sixty) days and ends 35 (thirty-five) days before the elections.
According to paragraph 5 of article 44 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, a candidate must inform the relevant election commission in writing of his or her consent to run.
According to paragraph 1 of article 45 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, political parties nominate candidates for deputies to the Mejlis of Turkmenistan at meetings of their central, velayat, etrap and city bodies, more specifically, at congresses, conferences and general assemblies. Candidates for membership in the velayat, etrap and city halk maslahaty are nominated at meetings of the velayat, etrap and city bodies of political parties. Candidates for membership in the Gengesh are nominated at meetings of the etrap and city bodies of political parties and at meetings of their primary organizations.
The nomination of candidates also applies to a group of citizens.
A meeting of a group of citizens for the nomination of candidates for deputies of the Mejlis, members of the velayat halk maslahaty shall be considered competent, if at least 200 (two hundred) voters residing in the territory of the corresponding electoral district are present, for the nomination of candidates for members of the etrap, city halk maslahaty - at least 100 (one hundred) voters residing in the territory of the corresponding electoral district and for the nomination of candidates for members of the Gengesh - at least 50 (fifty) voters residing in the territory of the corresponding electoral district.
At each citizens’ group meeting to nominate a candidate for the respective electoral district, only 1 (one) candidate may be nominated for the Mejlis, velayat, etrap or city halk maslahaty or Gengesh. A candidate is considered nominated, if more than 50% (fifty) percent (half) of the citizens’ group meeting participants vote for them.
The decision to nominate a candidate – is made by open or secret ballot. The voting format and other procedural matters are determined by the meeting participants. The decision to nominate a candidate – is communicated to the participant within 2 (two) days, but not later than the next working day following the nomination deadline.
Candidate registration is carried out in accordance with article 48 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan. No later than the 5 (fifth) day after registration, the relevant election commission shall notify the public of the candidate’s registration, stating the last name, first name, patronymic, year and place of birth, place of work, position held (occupation) and place of residence of each candidate.
From the moment of their registration, candidates have equal rights to speak at pre-election meetings, assemblies and in the media.
Each candidate for deputy of the Mejlis, member of velayat, etrap, city halk maslahaty may have up to 5 (five) and for members of the Gengesh – up to 3 (three) trusted persons.
We wish our Hero Arkadag and our esteemed President – Arkadagly Hero Serdar, who spearheaded the ongoing democratic reforms and are making great efforts to ensure a peaceful and prosperous life for our people, good health, long life and success in their endeavors for the benefit of the people, the country and universal human significance!
Ogulmaral Rejepova,
Main specialist of Organizational management of the Central commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan.