Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Jan. 29
By Huseyn Hasanov– Trend:
The CIS observation mission, which arrived at the invitation of Turkmenistan due to the presidential election to be held Feb. 12 in the country, has started its work, the Turkmen government said in a message.
The mission was headed by First Deputy Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee Viktor Guminsky.
The CIS observation mission will work on the basis of the generally accepted international standards, without interfering in the internal affairs of Turkmenistan, according to the message.
“The task of the mission is to promote holding of free and democratic election,” Guminsky said.
The Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan reported that the necessary conditions were created for the international observers to monitor the election campaign, as well as to meet the trustees of the presidential candidates in the country.
It was earlier reported that observers from the European countries, a number of international organizations, including the SCO and the OSCE were also invited, and they will have the opportunity to observe the electoral campaign and the voting on the election day in Turkmenistan.
Nine presidential candidates were officially registered in Turkmenistan.
The Democratic Party nominated the incumbent head of state Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan nominated chairman of the Commercial Bank Rysgal, Bekmyrat Atalyev, and the Agrarian Party nominated chairman of the Mary province committee Durdygylych Orazov.
Deputy Chairman of Turkmen state association of food industry Maksat Annanepesov, Deputy Head of the Mary province of Turkmenistan Jumanazar Annayev; Director of Seydi oil refinery, MP Ramazan Durdyyev; Deputy Head of Dashoguz district Meretdurdy Gurbanov; Head of the Economic Department of Akhal province Serdar Jelilov; Director General of ‘Garabogazsulfat’ association Suleymannepes Nurnepesov and are among the candidates nominated by initiative groups of Turkmen citizens.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has been elected twice as the country’s president. During the presidential election in 2012, 97.4 percent of voters cast their ballots for Berdimuhamedov.
Turkmen president is elected for a period of seven years, according to new amendments to the country’s Constitution.