Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Aug. 9 / Trend H.Hasanov /
Turkmenistan opened the polls for elections for two vacant seats in Parliament and in gengeshi (local governments). Elections are scheduled for August 19, the country's CEC reports.
From August 9, Turkmen citizens, who on election day for whatever reason will not be at their place of residence, will able to come to the polls and vote in advance. Voting will be open daily from 12 to 16 hours.
On the main election day, August 19, district polling stations will be open from 7 am to 19 pm. More than two million voters are expected to come to polls.
Under the authority set forth in the Constitution, the Gengeshi as the elected body are charged with "the issue of the fullest account of local conditions and aspirations of the public in the preparation and implementation of plans for economic, social and cultural development of a specific village or town, measures for management of natural resources and environmental environment, the solution of other issues within their competence by law."
In total, 12,309 candidates claim 6,100 mandate of gengeshi members, which ensures broad alternative basis for the upcoming elections. Of these, in the Akhal velayat (region) - 2,134, Balkan - 886, Dashoguz - 2,824, Lebap - 2,893 and Mary - 3,572 people.
The mandates of the deputy of the Majlis (parliament) for the electoral district № 26 of Kaahkin district of Akhal velayat and № 99 of Mary are claimed by 2 candidates per each district. Among the contenders are representatives of different nationalities and professions.