Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Dec. 9
By Huseyn Hasanov – Trend:
A delegation of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) has arrived in Turkmenistan to get acquainted with preparation process for presidential election, scheduled for February 2017 in the country, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a message.
Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry hosted a meeting with Lusine Badalyan, OSCE/ODIHR senior election adviser, and Vladimir Misev, OSCE/ODIHR election adviser.
During the meeting, a discussion was held on the organization of elections in accordance with the generally recognized principles and norms of international law on holding elections.
“It was noted that the ODIHR has a great positive experience in election observation and assistance for activities of legislative bodies,” said the message.
During the visit, the OSCE/ODIHR delegation is expected to have meetings at the Turkmen parliament, Ministry of Justice, Central Commission for Elections and Referenda, as well as with representatives of political parties and public organizations of Turkmenistan.
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has been elected twice for the position of the country’s president. During the presidential election in 2012, 97.4 percent of voters cast their ballots for Berdimuhamedov.
Turkmen president is elected for a period of seven years, according to new amendments to the country’s Constitution.