The first elections of members of the People’s Council of National Assembly have been held in Turkmenistan today. It is worth to mention that current elections are totally different from the previous ones.

The first in the country elections of members of the People’s Council of National Assembly were held at the sessions of the People’s Councils of regions and Ashgabat by secret balloting and based on indirect election right.

234 members of the People’s Councils of the regions and Ashgabat, which were registered by relative election commissions, have taken part in the elections in total, namely 37 electors in Ahal Region, 39 electors in Balkan Region, 39 electors in Dashoguz Region, 38 electors in Lebap Regions, 39 electors in Mary Region and 39 electors in Ashgabat.

Ceremonial atmosphere was reigning at all six polling stations today. The voting has started at 10 o’clock in the morning with the sounds of National anthem of Turkmenistan.

The election of members of the People’s Council were held on competitive base – 112 candidates have been registered by the Central Election Commission for 48 seats. All candidates had equal opportunities. Therefore, 2-3 candidates were competing for one seat.

An independent monitoring of election process has been implemented by 440 national observers from political parties, public organizations, groups of citizens and appointed by the candidates, who ensured that elections were held on the principles of transparency, publicity and according to the law.

All conditions were provided for the elections of the most deserved candidates, who are respected and trusted by fellow countrymen, to the members of the People’s Council. Transfer to two-chamber structure of legislative body – the People’s Council and Mejlis, meets the world and national democratic practice, recognized principles and standards of international law.

98.7 percent of the members of the People’s Councils of the regions and Ashgabat have taken part in the balloting by the moment of closing of polling stations. Election commissions of the regions and Ashgabat have completed counting the votes.

According to information given by the Central Election Commission, the elections were recognized. According to the provisions of the Election Code, the results of the elections will be released soon.

State News Agency of Turkmenistan

Photo by Yuri Shkurin