Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Nov.29
By Huseyn Hasanov- Trend:
An observation mission from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has opened in Ashgabat for the parliamentary elections in Turkmenistan that are scheduled for December 15, a press release of CIS Executive Committee published on Nov.29 said.
The mission began its work at the invitation of Turkmenistan and the provisions on the CIS observation mission for the presidential and parliamentary elections and referendums in member states of the Commonwealth. The mission is headed by the Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee Sergei Lebedev
The message of the CIS Executive Committee said that on these days the First Deputy Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee Vladimir Garkun met with the Chairman of the Central Commission for Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan Orazmurat Niyazliyev.
"The objective of the mission is to promote the holding of free and democratic elections. The participants also discussed other issues related to the activity of the CIS observation mission," the information said.
The election campaign in Turkmenistan started on Oct.5. Agitation campaign is underway now. According to the legislation, the agitation will be completed a few days before the elections.
In accordance to the Article 60 of Turkmenistan's constitution, the Majlis includes around 125 deputies since 2008. The MPs are elected for five years term on territorial constituencies with approximately equal number of voters.
There have been created some 125 constituencies in Ashgabat - 15, Akhal province - 15, Balkan - 10, Dashoguz - 27, Lebap - 28 and Mary province - 30.
The distinctive feature of the parliamentary elections of 2013 is that for the first time the struggle for the mandate of national parliamentarians are conducted by two political parties, the Turkmen CEC said.
Totally, around 283 candidates will participate in the parliamentary elections. About 99 candidates have been registered from the Democratic Party, Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs - 21 candidates, Federation of Trade Unions - 89 candidates, the Women's Union - 37, Magtumguly Youth Organization - 22, as well as groups of citizens - 15.