CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR HOLDING ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS IN TURKMENISTAN
During the Revival of a new epoch of a powerful state in our sacred Motherland under the wise leadership of our esteemed President Hero Arkadagly Serdar, who successfully continues the path of the National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero Arkadag aimed at the benefit of the people and the country, great successes are being achieved in various spheres, including the electoral system. These achievements inspire us to work honestly, following the principles of our forefathers, recognizing the value of Turkmenistan’s Independence and permanent Neutrality.
Based on the instructions of the esteemed President a number of bills were discussed and adopted at the 9th session of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan of the seventh convocation. Among them was the Law of Turkmenistan “On the Unified State Register of Voters.” This Law consists of VI chapters and 34 articles defining the legal and organizational framework for the creation and maintenance of the Unified State Register of citizens eligible to vote in elections and referendums.
The main objectives of this Law are the organization and implementation of the registration of personal data of voters, the compilation of lists of voters for the elections of the President of Turkmenistan, deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, members of the Halk Maslahaty of the velayats, cities of velayat and state significance, etraps, cities of etrap significance and Gengeshes, as well as the holding of national and local referendums.
The adoption of this Law will enhance the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to introduce a digital system into electoral processes at a modern level through the widespread use of information technology in the electoral system in accordance with the “Concept for the Development of the Digital Economy in Turkmenistan for 2019–2025” and “State Program for the Development of the Digital Economy in Turkmenistan for 2021–2025.” This Law will enter into force on January 1, 2026.
The development of a digital system and its integration into our lives facilitates our work. Innovation and digitalization – important indicators and requirements that complement each other in ensuring sustainable development for all. In implementing digitalization, particular importance is attached to the digitalization of the economy and society, creation, development and implementation of software, introduction of electronic document management into public life. This is due to digital technologies offer a fast, convenient and modern way to achieve high results by integrating them into all areas of public life, from the economy to the service system. From this point of view, our esteemed President sets clear, precise goals for such important tasks as the implementation of innovative and digital technologies in various sectors of the national economy, transition to electronic document management, an electronic ID system and creation of a competitive digital economy and electronic industry.
As part of establishing the digital system, Law of Turkmenistan “On electronic documents, electronic document management and digital services” was adopted. This law defines the basic requirements for electronic documents, electronic document management and legal status of digital services, as well as regulates relations arising in this area. In this regard, Central Commission for Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan is also conducting extensive work, leveraging the capabilities of the digital system. Specifically, the Central Election Commission has installed a system enabling internal exchange of electronic information, exchange of information with other organizations, velayats and allows for online videoconferences.
A clear example of this is operation of the official website of the Central Election Commission “saylav.gov.tm.” Internal networks have also been created for the exchange of electronic information between Central Election Commission staff. The primary strategy of the digital system – appropriate use of the Internet’s capabilities.
Specialists from Department of digital technologies and information security of the Central Commission for Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan constantly studying domestic and international experience in improving the digital system and effectively working to introduce the digital system into the institution’s operations.
We wish our National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero Arkadag and our esteemed President Hero Arkadagly Serdar, who are implementing exemplary measures to introduce digital technologies into all spheres of life in the country, including the electoral system, good health, long life and success in their great endeavors!
Annadursun Meskutova,
Chief specialist of Digital technology and information security department of apparatus of the Central commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan.