Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Dec.15
By Huseyn Hasanov- Trend:
Around 65.49 per cent of voters in Turkmenistan have voted in the country's parliamentary elections as of 13:00 local time, Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CEC) of Turkmenistan said.
Voting for over three million voters of the country began at 07:00 local time. The polling stations will close at 19:00.
In accordance with current legislation in Turkmenistan, elections are considered valid if over 50 per cent of the total numbers of voters participate in the elections.
Turkmen citizens, who have reached the age of 25 by Election Day and have permanent residence in Turkmenistan in the past 10 years, have been nominated for deputies of Majlis (parliament).
For the first time the representatives of the two political parties, Democratic Party and the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, are competing for the mandates of national parliamentarians.
In total, around 283 candidates for the vacant deputy posts have been registered. About 99 candidates have been registered from the Democratic Party, the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs - 21 candidates, Federation of Trade Unions - 89 candidates, the Women's Union - 37, Magtumguly Youth Organisation - 22, as well as groups of citizens - 15.
Up to three candidates claim one mandate of national parliamentarians in each constituency. The term of office for MPs is five years.
According to the Turkmen constitution, parliament passes laws, makes changes and additions to the Constitution of Turkmenistan, approves the state budget, addresses questions on holding referendums and announces presidential and parliamentary elections.
It also considers issues the appointment and dismissal of the chief of the Supreme Court, attorney general, interior minister and minister of justice and ratifies and terminates international treaties, addresses issues on changes of state borders and the administrative-territorial division of Turkmenistan.
Translated by L.Z.
Edited by S.M.