CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR HOLDING ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS IN TURKMENISTAN
The procedure for compiling voter lists, including citizens on the voter list and familiarizing citizens with voter list regulated by Section V of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan. One of the important aspects of compiling voter lists are responsible approach to the compilation process itself.
The compilation of the voter list, which is the primary document in the election voting process, requires compliance with a number of organizational and legal provisions, as well as meeting established deadlines and implementing them responsibly. The list must be compiled according to a template approved by the Central Electoral Commission of Turkmenistan. The process of including citizens who have voting rights and excluding those who do not must be carried out in an organized and timely manner.
The main democratic principles of compiling voter lists – include creating favorable conditions for eligible voters to familiarize themselves with the list during election campaign. The list includes all eligible voters. It is essential to prevent inclusion of the same voter on the voter list, as well as voting in two places, that is at two polling stations and to ensure the accuracy and correctness of voter information. The list is compiled in accordance with the boundaries of the polling station and district, as well as the number of voters established by law.
The procedure for compiling voter lists mainly consists of inclusion in the list of citizens who have right to vote, exclusion from the list of citizens who do not have right to vote or making changes to the personal data of citizens who have right to vote. These processes must be carried out in accordance with established procedures and on the basis of supporting documents.
Also, these works at polling stations include the following stages:
– preparation of preliminary lists of voters at polling stations;
– based on the preliminary list of voters, citizens are canvassed at their place of residence to clarify information;
– compilation of final (revised) lists of voters.
Of course, citizen data in voter lists can be divided into classifiers:
– young voters who have turned 18 and are voting for the first time;
– older voters (over 70 years old);
– voters who are unable to arrive at the polling station on their own for health reasons;
– male voters;
– female voters.
For example, in the elections of deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, members of velayat, etrap, city Halk Maslahaty and Gengeshes, which took place on March 26, 2023: the number of young voters who voted for the first time was 75,606, the number of elderly voters (over 70 years old) was 75,487 and the number of voters who were unable to come to the polling station on their own due to health reasons was 15,984.
Personal data of citizens on the voter lists secret and may only be used for purposes stipulated by the legislation of Turkmenistan, violation of these requirements in this case entails liability as established by law.
The number of voters in our country is growing every year, for example, in the nationwide referendum held on October 26, 1991, the total number of voters in Turkmenistan was 1,864,142 and in the elections of deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan members of velayat, etrap, city Halk Maslahaty and Gengeshes, which were held on March 26, 2023, it increased to 3,496,368.
The Law of Turkmenistan “On the Unified State Register of Voters” was adopted on June 28, 2025 and will enter into force on January 1, 2026. The adoption of this new Law will enable the compilation, administration and maintenance of a unified state register of voters in a centralized manner nationwide and in electronic format by etraps and cities, as well as the regular updating of voter information, in other words, it will enable the compilation of a unified register of voters within the capabilities of the digital system and in modern conditions.
During these days of the International Year of Peace and Trust, the Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan is conducting organized preparatory work to fulfill its functions under the Law of Turkmenistan “On the Unified State Register of Voters.”
Amangeldi Gandymov,
Deputy chairman of the Central commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan.