CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR HOLDING ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS IN TURKMENISTAN
As noted by the President, in the radical changes taking place in our country, priority is given to the improvement of the political system, the democratization of all aspects of the life of the state and society. Democratization of public life is one of the important directions of the policy of transforming the wise leadership of the Dear President.
One of our main tasks is to modernize the electoral system, the electoral legislation of Turkmenistan, bring it in line with generally accepted requirements of international law, organize elections on the basis of openness and democracy.
The importance of the activities of national observers in the elections held in our country, in accordance with the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, the internationally adopted electoral law and the established requirements for holding elections on democratic foundations, the national democratic path inherent in the Turkmen people since ancient times, as well as in protecting civilians rights, we had a conversation with the chief specialist of the organizational department of the apparatus of the Central Commission for Holding Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan Maksatmyrad Geldiyev:
Maksatmyrat, who can become a national observer in elections?
- In accordance with article 6 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, the right to appoint national observers belongs to political parties, public associations, groups of citizens and candidates.
The appointment of national observers can begin from the day the Central Commission for Holding Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan announced the beginning of the election campaign.
The national observer may be a citizen of Turkmenistan who has the right to vote, except for heads of state authorities and local self-government, judges, prosecutors, members of election commissions, initiative groups, candidates, proxies of candidates.
The appointment of national observers is carried out by political parties, public associations at meetings of their local bodies and meetings of groups of citizens. A meeting of a group of citizens on the appointment of national observers is eligible if it involves at least thirty citizens who have the right to vote.
Candidates may nominate one national observer for each polling station in the territory of their constituency, information about which is submitted to the relevant election commission.
What are the terms for exercising the powers of national observers?
- Long-term and short-term types of election observation are used in international practice.
Long-term observation - includes the period from the beginning of the electoral campaign until the announcement of election results.
Short-term observation - includes monitoring the progress of voting and summing up its results.
National observers in the elections of the President of Turkmenistan are registered by the Central Election Commission, at the elections of the deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, members of the Halk Maslahaty, and the Gengeshes by the relevant election commission of the velayat and the city of Ashgabat. They are issued a certificate of the established pattern.
A certificate is the basis for the observer to exercise his powers in the preparation and conduct of elections.
National observers exercise their authority from the day they are registered and stop on the day of official publication of election results.
- Can you say a few words about the cooperation of the Central Commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan with national observers?
With the purpose of organized elections, in accordance with paragraph 31 of article 26 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, a working group on working with national observers is established under the Central Commission for Holding Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan. This group includes a member of the Central Commission for Holding Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan and a specialist of the department, employees of the Central Bodies of political parties and public organizations.
The composition of the working group on working with national observers is approved at the meeting of the Central Commission for Holding Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan by voting, the members of the working group are given the appropriate certificate. In the working group, representatives of political parties and public organizations are accepted in accordance with the recommendations of their Central Bodies.
Each representative of a political party, public association will coordinate the organized work of registered national observers nominated from their cells in the velayats and in the city of Ashgabat.
For each election, information on the qualitative composition of registered national observers is compiled. Based on these data, we can judge their age, education, in which sectors of the economy they work, nationalities and gender.
In addition, in accordance with the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan and international standards, in order to facilitate the work of national observers, a special memo is being developed. Also, during the election campaign, seminars are held with them.
Taking advantage of this moment, I want to assure the respected President who pays much attention to improving the electoral system leading the Turkmen people along the road of freedom, tranquility, democracy to a happy future, that we will continue to spare no effort in conducting elections in accordance with the laws of Turkmenistan, international norms, principles of national democratic elections going from ancient times.
Maksatmyrat, thank you for the informative talk about the national observers.
Interviewed by A.URALSKY.