CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR HOLDING ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS IN TURKMENISTAN
On the basis of wise, far-sighted actions, advices and instructions of the distinguished President, extensively studying international experience in holding elections, types of electoral systems, the system of election commissions, conducting explanatory work on this among citizens with electoral rights and election commissions, bringing it to the attention of the masses, as a result, fruitful work is being done to further improve the work of the electoral system.
The issue of further democratization of public life is one of the important directions of the policy of transformations of the respected President. The electoral rights of citizens in our country are ensured on the basis of universally accepted international and democratic norms for the holding elections, the Constitution of Turkmenistan and the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, and in accordance with democratic principles.
In achieving further ensuring the electoral rights of citizens in our country, in accordance with the Constitution of Turkmenistan, the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, on the basis of democratic principles, a big role belongs to election commissions.
In this regard, they decided to give a detailed concept of the system of election commissions.
The election commissions organize their work in accordance with the Constitution of Turkmenistan, the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan and other regulatory legal acts of Turkmenistan.
The election commissions carrying out work on the preparation and holding elections held in our country constitute a system of election commissions.
In accordance with Article 17 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, elections of the President of Turkmenistan, deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, members of the Halk maslahaty, Gengeshes and referendums organize the following election commissions:
- The Central Commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan (hereinafter - the Central Election Commission);
- election commissions of velayats and cities with the rights of velayat (hereinafter - velayat election commissions);
- election commissions of etraps and cities with the rights of etraps (hereinafter - etrap election commissions);
- district election commissions;
- election commissions of cities in etraps, settlements and gengeshliks;
- precinct election commissions.
Let’s list the election commissions for elections held in our country:
By elections of the President of Turkmenistan:
- Central Election Commission;
- velayat election commissions;
- etrap, city election commissions;
- precinct election commissions.
By elections of deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan:
- Central Election Commission;
- velayat election commissions;
- etrap, city election commissions;
- district election commissions;
- precinct election commissions.
By elections of members of the Halk maslahaty of velayats, etraps, cities:
- Central Election Commission;
- velayat election commissions;
- etrap, city election commissions;
- precinct election commissions.
By elections of members of the Gengeshes:
- Central Election Commission;
- velayat election commissions;
- etrap, city election commissions;
- election commissions of cities in the etrap, settlements and gengeshliks;
- precinct election commissions.
Speaking about the number of members of election commissions, in accordance with Article 22 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, the Central Election Commission is formed by the President of Turkmenistan from among citizens of Turkmenistan consisting of a chairman, deputy chairman, secretary and twelve members.
The chairman of the Central Election Commission is approved by the Mejlis of Turkmenistan.
Representatives of the Central Election Commission are nominated by the President of Turkmenistan, political parties and public associations.
In accordance with article 32 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan,
- The election commissions of the velayats are formed by the Central Election Commission consisting of 9-13 members.
- The election commissions of etraps and cities are formed by the election commission of the corresponding velayat consisting of 11-15 members.
- District election commissions on the elections of deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan are formed by the Central Election Commission consisting of 9-11 members.
- Election commissions of the city in the etrap, settlement, gengeshlik are formed by the corresponding election commission of the etrap, city consisting of 7-11 members.
- Precinct election commissions are formed by the corresponding election commission of the etrap, city of 5-15 members.
If necessary, precinct election commissions may be formed in a minimum of three members.
The term of office of election commissions of velayats, etraps, cities, settlements, gengeshliks, district and precinct election commissions is five years.
The powers of election commissions are fully described in Articles 26, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan.
Representatives of election commissions are nominated at meetings of velayat, etrap, city bodies of political parties, public associations, at meetings of their primary organizations, and at meetings of groups of citizens.
To members of the election commissions are issued the appropriate certificates.
In accordance with the Electoral Law of Turkmenistan, relevant information on the composition of election commissions is brought to the attention of the population.
According to the final information of the elections held on March 25, 2018:
- besides the Central Election Commission, the total number of election commissions operating in the country is 3400;
- including: 6 velayat election commissions, 60 election commissions of etraps, cities, 125 district election commissions, 605 election commissions of cities in etrap, settlements, gengeshliks, 2604 precinct election commissions;
- the total number of members of all election commissions operating in our country is 24063;
- including: 15 members of the Central Election Commission, 66 members of the election commissions of the velayats and the city of Ashgabat, 664 members of the election commissions of the etraps, cities, 1375 members of the district election commissions, 4241 members of the election commissions of cities in the etrap, settlements, gengeshliks, 17702 members of the precinct election commissions.
Speaking about election commissions, it should be noted that all election commissions operating in our country are equipped with official signs, seals, stamps and other relevant material and technical means.
In order to organize the conduction of elections, special manuals are prepared for the election commissions of various levels by the apparatus of the Central Election Commission.
These days, in accordance with the program approved by the Central Election Commission, in connection with the completion of the five-year term of office of precinct election commissions, events are being taken to re-educate them.
Within the program, meetings of primary organizations of political parties, public associations and groups of citizens are held to nominate representatives to the precinct election commissions, to send the minutes of meetings to etrap, city election commissions and their approval.
In addition, it is planned to hand over the corresponding certificates to members of precinct election commissions, hold their first meetings, as well as hold training seminars with members of precinct commissions on rights, duties and tasks ahead, on electoral law and on further improving the work of precinct election commissions.
Work is underway to compile a qualitative composition of all precinct election commissions that are being created in the country.
People of different ages and levels of education, working in various sectors and representatives of different nationalities living together in Turkmenistan, as well as high rates of women among elected members of precinct election commissions nominated to election commissions by political parties, public associations and groups of citizens, are clear demonstrates the maturity in our country of political diversity serving only one purpose, that is, for the benefit of the people and the country.
We express our gratitude to the President Arkadag leading the people of Turkmenistan in conditions of freedom, tranquility and a democratic path to a happy future, paying great attention to improving the electoral system.
We wish to distinguished President good health, longevity, high dignity, further prosperity of large-scale affairs for the benefit of the people and the country!
Amangeldi Annadurdyev,
Head of the Organizational department of Central Commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan.