Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb.3 /Trend V.Zhavoronkova/
Polling station number 1has now opened at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Baku for preliminary voting in the country's presidential election which is scheduled for Sunday February 12.
The decision to open the polling station for preliminary voting was taken by the Embassy of Turkmenistan, taking into account voters appeals and in line with international practice. It is expected that about 200 citizens of Turkmenistan will participate in the voting in Baku.
"The citizens of Turkmenistan have a special role in the process of country's governance. Our compatriots abroad are concerned with the fate of free and alternative elections," the Ambassador of Turkmenistan Toyly Komekov said at the opening of polling station.
Many Turkmen citizens living in Azerbaijan, including students who will vote for the first time, have shown a willingness to participate in the presidential elections. A short cultural programme was shown to celebrate the opening of the polling station.
The citizens of Turkmenistan have been acquainted with the general provisions of the electoral system, with the law on presidential elections in Turkmenistan and proceeded to take part in the preliminary voting.
Eight candidates are standing in the man campaign including President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who took office in 2007.