CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR HOLDING ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS IN TURKMENISTAN
During in the era of the Revival of the new epoch of the powerful state great work started by the National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero Arkadag, continues with dignity under the wise leadership of our Hero Arkadagly Serdar. In the new historical era, thanks to the efforts of the esteemed President, comprehensive reforms are being implemented in the direction of the socio-economic development of the country. All these reforms are based on scientific achievements and international experience. Large-scale work is being carried out so that the country achieves significant progress in the electoral system, as well as in all other areas.
As a full member of the world community Independent, Permanently Neutral Turkmenistan today carries out effective work to strengthen democratic principles. The pace of work aimed at further democratization of the socio-political life of the country, formation of civil society institutions and introduction of modern electoral methods is constantly increasing. After all, elections play an important role in the socio-political life of any state. Elections – one of the most important political rights of citizens of the state to elect and be elected and serve as the main source of the formation of democracy in public life.
As part of the organizational work on the elections, after the date of the relevant elections has been determined by a resolution of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, the Central Election Commission at its meeting adopts a resolution and announces the start of the electoral campaign.
Elections of the President of Turkmenistan, deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, members of the Halk Maslahaty of the velayats, cities with the rights of velayats and state significance, etraps, cities with the rights of etraps and Gengeshes are appointed by the Mejlis of Turkmenistan no later than three months before expiration of their term of office.
Central commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan announces the start of the election campaign at its meeting no later than seventy days before the date of the said elections. It also approves a plan of events to be implemented during the election campaign. After this, organizational work of the election campaign begins in full swing.
An election campaign – a period of preparation for elections and implementation of appropriate measures for their organized conduct in accordance with the procedure established by law.
Of course, election campaign includes a number of stages related to the organized preparation for the elections and their conduct at a high level. In particular, according to the plan, it includes a number of events, such as the registration of national and international observers and media representatives, nomination and registration of candidates, registration of their proxies, conduct of pre-election campaigning, creation of polling stations, their equipment, conduct of voting, summing up of the results and announcement of the results.
In accordance with Article 26 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, the Central Electoral Commission in connection with the implementation of this activity, manages the preparation and conduct of elections and system of election commissions. It also ensures the uniform application of the electoral legislation of Turkmenistan, makes decisions within its authority and provides clarifications on issues of preparation and conduct of elections.
As you known, in accordance with the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan nomination of candidates for every election held in the country and during the election campaign is carried out freely, equally, openly and transparently, on the basis of freedom of speech and with the provision of equal opportunities for all candidates.
Article 4 of the Constitution of Turkmenistan establishes that the highest value of society and State in Turkmenistan is a person and the state is responsible to every citizen and protects his rights. Thus, elections are one of the basic political rights of citizens in our public life, a measure aimed at ensuring their electoral rights and freedoms. The protection of the electoral rights and freedoms of citizens is the responsibility of the election campaign.
Responsibility of the election campaign – means responsible work related to the legal implementation of preparation for elections, voting, vote counting and all other activities, starting from the day of the announcement of the election campaign until the official announcement of the election results.
In the current new historical period a lot of work is being done in Turkmenistan to improve the electoral system and its further development based on democratic principles. The adoption of the Law of Turkmenistan “On the Unified State Register of Voters” prepared jointly by the Central Commission for Holding Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan and Mejlis of Turkmenistan on the instructions of the Head of State in order to improve the work of the electoral system in accordance with the requirements of the time, also clearly confirms this. This law will play an important role in organizing the election campaign in accordance with international standards, strengthening and modernizing its legal framework.
With all our hearts we wish our Hero Arkadag and Hero Arkadagly Serdar, who are successfully carrying out large-scale work to successfully hold democratic elections in our country, health, long life and success in ambitious endeavors.
Hekimberdi Ovezov,
secretary-referent of apparatus of the Central commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan.