The closing press conference was conducted at the CIS Observer Mission Headquarters. The final conclusions and evaluation of the results of monitoring of the preparation and election stages of the campaign in Turkmenistan were presented at the press conference. It brought together Turkmen and foreign journalists, the members of the Central Commission for Election and Referenda of Turkmenistan and velayat and Ashgabat election commissions.
Chairman of the Executive Committee – CIS Executive Secretary, Sergey Lebedev expressed gratitude to the Government of Turkmenistan and the Central Commission for Election and Referenda of Turkmenistan for inviting to monitor the important social and political event in life of the Turkmen state – the election of the President of Turkmenistan and creating the favourable conditions for the activity of the CIS Observer Mission.
The Head of the CIS Observer Mission emphasized that the presidential election in Turkmenistan had been held at the high organizational level and on a wide alternative basis. There was openness and transparency throughout the process and the high turnout of voters.
The members of the Mission abided by the principles of neutrality, non-interference in the internal affairs, adherence to laws of Turkmenistan, impartiality of the evaluation of the election campaign, organization and the course of the election campaign.
Focusing on the improvements in the national election law of Turkmenistan, the Head of the Mission underlined that since the 2008 parliamentary elections it had been significantly amended towards democratization encompassing the recommendations of the observer missions of the OSCE and the CIS.
Emphasis was placed on the role of the Turkmen mass media in covering the election process. After the election campaign was announced, the print and electronic media and the national TV regularly covered the events related to the nomination, registration and meeting of the presidential candidates with the electorates and the activity of the Central Commission for Election and Referenda of Turkmenistan. The candidates’ biographies and election programmes helped the voters to learn more about their labour achievements and views on the prospects for developing independent neutral Turkmenistan.
Focusing on the shortcomings revealed during the election, the Head of the CIS Observer Mission said they were insignificant and mainly technical.
Presenting the CIS observers’ conclusions, S. Lebedev noted that “the presidential campaign in Turkmenistan was held within the ethic norms, in the correct form and in a calm atmosphere” and “according to our evaluations the Turkmen people have voted for stability, the policy pursued by the current leadership of Turkmenistan towards the high standards of living and economic growth”.
Chairman of the Executive Committee – CIS Executive Secretary, Sergey Lebedev expressed gratitude to the Government of Turkmenistan and the Central Commission for Election and Referenda of Turkmenistan for inviting to monitor the important social and political event in life of the Turkmen state – the election of the President of Turkmenistan and creating the favourable conditions for the activity of the CIS Observer Mission.
The Head of the CIS Observer Mission emphasized that the presidential election in Turkmenistan had been held at the high organizational level and on a wide alternative basis. There was openness and transparency throughout the process and the high turnout of voters.
The members of the Mission abided by the principles of neutrality, non-interference in the internal affairs, adherence to laws of Turkmenistan, impartiality of the evaluation of the election campaign, organization and the course of the election campaign.
Focusing on the improvements in the national election law of Turkmenistan, the Head of the Mission underlined that since the 2008 parliamentary elections it had been significantly amended towards democratization encompassing the recommendations of the observer missions of the OSCE and the CIS.
Emphasis was placed on the role of the Turkmen mass media in covering the election process. After the election campaign was announced, the print and electronic media and the national TV regularly covered the events related to the nomination, registration and meeting of the presidential candidates with the electorates and the activity of the Central Commission for Election and Referenda of Turkmenistan. The candidates’ biographies and election programmes helped the voters to learn more about their labour achievements and views on the prospects for developing independent neutral Turkmenistan.
Focusing on the shortcomings revealed during the election, the Head of the CIS Observer Mission said they were insignificant and mainly technical.
Presenting the CIS observers’ conclusions, S. Lebedev noted that “the presidential campaign in Turkmenistan was held within the ethic norms, in the correct form and in a calm atmosphere” and “according to our evaluations the Turkmen people have voted for stability, the policy pursued by the current leadership of Turkmenistan towards the high standards of living and economic growth”.