Turkmenistan, Ashkhabad, Jan.21 /Trend H.Hasanov/
Presidential elections in Turkmenistan, scheduled for February 12, should be held in the atmosphere of transparency and openness, the president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said at the last meeting of the government, local media reported on Saturday.
The president said that this major political event should be held in strict compliance with national legislation, and become an important step towards the further democratization of the Turkmen state and society.
According to the Constitution, the President of Turkmenistan must be a citizen of and born in Turkmenistan, aged at least 40 and no older than 70 years, know the state language, have resided in Turkmenistan over the past 15 years and have worked in state bodies, public associations, enterprises, institutions and organizations. The presidential term is five years.
Earlier, the country's current president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who runs Turkmenistan since 2007, was nominated as the presidential candidate of social organizations.
The President stressed the presidential elections will be monitored by national and foreign observers.
Turkmen MPs also stated earlier that presidential elections in the country will be based on the Constitution and take into account the UN and OSCE international electoral standards.