CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR HOLDING ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS IN TURKMENISTAN
In our country consistently implemented systematic works on the development of national legal norms, and on their basis a deeper democratization of society. Full evidence of this is being carried out in constantly neutral Turkmenistan various socio-political events, implemented in accordance with the requirements of the developed world.
In our country, great importance is attached to ensuring direct, as well as through freely elected representatives, participation of our citizens in the management of public and state affairs. For their active participation on the elections, the necessary legal opportunities and excellent conditions are created.
For organized holding elections, which are an important socio-political event, constituencies are formed on the territory of our country.
How constituencies are formed?
The constituency is the territory within which is carried out the preparation and conduction of elections. And also, a constituency is a territorial unit from which elected representatives are elected. When speaking about the constituency, it means the division of territories into parts for holding elections.
Formation of constituencies is a prerequisite for development of electoral works (the formation of district election commissions; the nomination and registration of candidates in constituencies).
During the elections, formed constituencies may be functionally different depending on the election system. For example, there are two types of constituencies: single-mandate and multi-mandate.
Mandate - a concept showing the number of representatives elected within the appropriate limits (within the constituency).
More precisely, if one deputy or one member is elected from one constituency, the constituency is single-mandate.
If, however, several deputies or several members are elected from one constituency, then the district is multi-mandate.
In accordance with Article 38 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, on the elections of the President of Turkmenistan, the entire territory of Turkmenistan is one constituency.
The Mejlis of Turkmenistan consists of 125 deputies. On the elections of deputies of the Mejlis 125 constituencies are formed with approximately the same number of voters in Turkmenistan.
On the elections of members of the Halk maslahaty of the velayat, there are formed 40 constituencies in the corresponding territory.
On the elections of members of the Halk maslahaty of the etrap, there are formed 20 constituencies in the corresponding territory.
On the elections of members of the Gengeshes, there are formed from 5-15 constituencies with approximately equal numbers of voters in the respective territory. Here in the territory with the number of voters up to 1000 people 5-6 constituencies, from 1001 to 2000 people 7-8, from 2001 to 4000 people 9-11, and in the territory with the number of voters over 4000 people, there are formed 12-15 constituencies. The number of constituencies within the specified limits is determined by the corresponding Gengesh.
How constituencies are divided according to the number of voters?
For example, on the elections of deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, the total number of voters registered in the country is divided to 125 and the approximate number of voters in each constituency is determined. Also, the territory of the velayats and the city of Ashgabat are divided into constituencies depending on the approximate number of voters in each constituency.
On the elections of deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan held on March 25, 2018, there were formed 125 constituencies in the territory of Turkmenistan with approximately the same number of voters, including: 16 in the city of Ashgabat, 15 in the Ahal velayat, 10 in the Balkan velayat, 27 in Dashoguz velayat, 28 in Lebap velayat, 29 in Mary velayat.
In order to ensure the principles of democracy and equality on elections held in our country, in clause 5 of article 38 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan defines the following conditions: “The number of voters in each constituency should not exceed 10 percent, and in remote and inaccessible areas - 15 percent of the average number of voters in the constituencies for the relevant elections”.
These conditions are fully implemented on the elections held in our country.
Constituencies are formed by the relevant election commissions no later than seventy days before the Election Day. On the elections of deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, the names of districts are also determined.
It should be noted here, that the relevant election commissions, having held their meetings, making decision about the formation of constituencies on elections and attach to it a list of districts with an indication of their borders.
Within the events to ensure transparency of elections, lists of constituencies with an indication of their boundaries are brought to the attention of the population. This demonstrates the provision in accordance with the law of a guarantee for information within the legal guarantees of voters.
The main goal of the ongoing democratic elections in Neutral Turkmenistan is to create all conditions for our citizens to exercise constitutional rights, to participate in the management of the affairs of society and the state directly, as well as through freely elected representatives.
Annadursun Meskutova,
Leading specialist of the Organizational department of
Central Commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan.