CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR HOLDING ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS IN TURKMENISTAN
Elections of the members of the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan: results and figures
Based on the resolution of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan held on 25 th of September, 2020, the first elections of the members of the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan was scheduled on the last Sunday of March 2021, exactly, on 28th of March.
Based on the decision of the Central election commission of Turkmenistan of November 28, 2020, the election campaign began on January 2, 2021.
On the elections of the members of the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan, the territory of each velayat, Ashgabat city is an eight-mandate one district.
The composition of the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan consists of 56 members, eight members from each velayat and from the Ashgabat city, who are elected by secret ballot by members of the velayat, Ashgabat city halk maslahaty.
Eight members of the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan are appointed by the President of Turkmenistan.
The conduct of the elections in a democratic manner was in the eyes of the public. All rounds of the election were watched by 440 national observers appointed by the candidates and political parties, public associations, groups of citizens. Including:
In order to conduct the elections in a transparent manner, these national observers, who are registered by the velayat and Ashgabat city election commissions, have been actively involved in the electoral process within their competence. More precisely, the number of national observers in the velayats of our country and Ashgabat city watching the election as follows:
Nominations began on 6th of February, 2021, and ended on 2nd of March.
Registration of candidates was held from February 11 to March 7.
On the elections of 28th of March, 2021, totally 56 parliamentary nominations were held in the country. They are:
Thus, 112 candidates were nominated and they were registered by the Central Election Commission. More precisely, the number of registered candidates is as follows:
83 of the candidates, i.e. 74.11 per cent, are men, and 29 of them, i.e. 25.89 per cent are women.
Also 111 of the trustees of the candidates have been registered by the Central election commission.
Pre-election campaigning for registered candidates began from the time they were registered and completed on 26th of March.
112 of the registered candidates for the membership of the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of the country within the scope of the preaching work with voters, i.e. held 24 meetings with members of the halk maslahaty of welayats and Ashgabat city.
In each welayat and in Ashgabat city one, and across the country totally six voting houses - polling station was set up. More precisely:
In those buildings members of the velayat and Ashgabat city halk maslahaty held their meetings and voted.
Voting in the polling stations was held from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Thus, on election day 112 candidates ran for 48 mandates. This shows that 2-3 candidates are contesting for 1 place on the basis of our democratic principles.
Voters by the velayat and Ashgabat city election commissions, i.e. 231 members of the velayat and Ashgabat city halk maslahaty were registered.
Members of the velayat and Ashgabat city halk maslahaty actively voted in the elections. Including:
Total in Turkmenistan there was a 98.7% participation.
As part of the digitalization of the electoral system, On election day, video cameras were set up at polling stations in Ashgabat city and in our velayats, and the voter turnout was broadcast live on the website saylav.gov.tm of the Central election commission of Turkmenistan.
Of the 112 candidates registered in the country, 48 members were elected to the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan. More precisely:
In accordance with article 78 of the Constitution of Turkmenistan, 8 members of the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan are appointed by the President of Turkmenistan.
The creation of a bicameral structure of the national parliament is an important step towards the happiness and well-being of our people, the strengthening of democratic structures, the deepening of democratic principles.
The legal framework for the elections
The Constitution of Turkmenistan, the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan and the Resolution «On the organization for holding first elections of the members of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan and on the conduct of organizational work related to the establishment of the Halk Maslahay of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan», and the Resolution of the Central Election Commission dated November 28, 2020, all are the basis for holding elections.
Under the Constitutional Law of Turkmenistan «On Amendments and Additions to the Constitution of Turkmenistan» dated September 25, 2020, the first election of the members of the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan shall be held by the President of Turkmenistan.
According to the resolution of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan dated September 25, 2020, holding the first election of the members of the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan is scheduled for Sunday, March 28, 2021. This decision was brought to the attention of the public through the mass media.
Amendments and additions
to the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan
The Law of Turkmenistan «On Amendments to the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan» was adopted on October 24, 2020. Amendments and additions to the Electoral code are related to the transition of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan to a two-chamber system. The Electoral Code of Turkmenistan has included a new section 6 (VI(1)) No. 1 «Holding elections of the members of the Halk Maslahaty».
This new section includes 18 newly added items. Also, amendments and additions to Article 53 of the Electoral Code have been made. Section 14 of the Electoral Code has also been renamed.
Election season
Following Article 4 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, the authority to announce the start of the election season belongs to Central Commission for Holding Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan. It has been announced that the election season will start on January 2, 2021, based on the Resolution of the Central Election Commission dated November 28, 2020.
The purpose of the work of the Central Election Commission and the election commissions under its jurisdiction is to ensure that the rules of the country's electoral legislation are strictly observed from the beginning to the end of the election season. The news at the start of the election season was brought to the attention of the public through the mass media.
Preparatory work of election commissions
for holding elections
Preparations for holding elections of the members of the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan are performed by the Central Election Commission, velayats and Ashgabat city's election commissions.
The Central Election Commission, velayat and Ashgabat city's election commissions, and velayat and Ashgabat city's halk maslahaty are responsible for organizing the election process.
The Central Election Commission was established under the Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan dated November 25, 2019, No. 1507, consisting of 15 members.
The Chairman of the Central Election Commission was approved by the Mejlis of Turkmenistan.
Under the Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan dated October 3, 2020, No. 1923, the composition of the Central Election Commission was amended.
Velayats and Ashgabat city election commissions were created by the Central Election Commission dated June 25, 2016, consisting of 11 people.
All election commissions were established with a five-year term of office.
In the election of members of the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh, the boundary of velayat and Ashgabat city is based on an eight-mandate constituency.
On November 28, 2020, a mejlis of the Central Election Commission approved a programme for the preparation and organization of the elections. The Central Election Commission (CEC) is planning and conducting the elections on a planned basis.
Educational seminars
Following the approved programme of the preparatory work of elections, educational seminars were held on February 2-3, 2021 to provide methodological assistance to members of the velayat, Ashgabat city, etrap and town halk maslahaty, as well as for velayat and Ashgabat city election commissions. At this event, members of election commissions and local halk maslahaty introduced amendments and additions of the current legislation for conducting elections on nomination and registration of candidates, use of the ballot, ballot box equipment, and other voting procedures.
Also, on March 5 and 6, the election commissions of the velayats and the city of Ashgabat held such educational seminars with national observers and representatives of the media.
Nomination and registration of candidates
Following Article 50 (4) of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, the right to nominate candidacy for membership Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh belongs to the velayat, etrap and town halk maslahaty.
Candidacy for membership in the Halk Maslahaty may be submitted through political parties, groups of citizens, and representatives of velayat, etrap, and town halk maslahaty.
Under Article 50 (5) of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, the nomination to candidacy begins fifty days before the election and ends twenty-five days before the election. The nomination period which has started on February 6 ended on March 2. A total of 112 candidates has been nominated across the country.
The number of nominated candidates is Ahal velayat 21, Balkan velayat 21, Dashoguz velayat 18, Lebap velayat 18, Mary velayat 17, Ashgabat city 17.
Under Article 50 (6) of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, candidates for membership of the Halk Maslahaty are registered by the Central Election Commission. Registration begins 45 days before the election and ends 20 days before the election. A total of 112 candidates has been registered across the country for membership of Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan. Identity cards were delivered to registered candidates by Central Election Commission.
A citizen of Turkmenistan who has attained the age of thirty before election day has a higher education and has been a permanent resident of Turkmenistan for the last ten years – can be nominated for membership in the Halk Maslahaty.
Two or three candidates are expected to run for a single seat in the March 28, 2021 election.
Information about registered candidates will be made available to the public through the website of the Central Election Commission and other mass media such as TV, radio stations, and newspapers. This way, it indicates that the nomination process is open for public information in a transparent manner.
The people who will be nominated for the membership of the Halk Maslahaty should be among the people who are respected, literate, and patriotic, these are requirements arising from generally recognized international norms and national laws.
A person who has not been convicted of a felony until the respective time, whose guilt has not been resolved, or who has not been acquitted in the manner prescribed by law, cannot be nominated.
The voters' list
The list of voters in the event of elections of the members of the Halk Maslahaty is compiled by the velayat election commission based on the information provided by the velayat and Ashgabat city halk maslahaty.
Members of the velayat halk maslahaty are included in the list of voters.
The composition of the velayat halk maslahaty consists of 40 members who has been elected in national elections 2018.
A total of 240 voters from across the country and members of the velayat and Ashgabat city halk maslahaty are included in the electoral roll to cast their ballots.
Pre-election campaigning and media coverage
of the election season
Under the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, the campaign begins after the registration of candidates and ends on March 26, 2021.
Following the principles of openness, transparency, and freedom of the press, equal opportunities are created for all candidates. Candidates are guaranteed the opportunity to speak in the media free of charge and on equal conditions.
According to Article 62 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, campaigning is ensured under the laws of our country to political parties, public associations, citizens of Turkmenistan, candidates, and trustees of candidates.
The Central Election Commission approved the schedule of meetings of candidates with voters. Candidates' meetings with voters began on March 10 and will continue until March 26.
Members of the Central and velayat election commissions regularly report on the preparatory work of elections on the press and television.
Decisions, regulations and guidelines, news, and messages made by the Central Election Commission regarding the election season are kept up-to-date on the website of the Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan (www.saylav.gov.tm).
Updates on elections will be regularly broadcasted on television and radio. Video ads explaining the rules of voting
The Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan published methodological manuals on elections in Turkmen, English, and Russian. Regulatory legal acts - regulations arising from the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan - have been prepared. The leaflets will also be published and posted in public places.
Election ballot
The election ballot -is a tool for voters to express their will freely, voluntarily, and confidentially, it is a key document in conducting elections.
Under Article 26 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, the Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan approves the registration of ballots for holding the election of the members of the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan. Following Article 70 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, all registered candidates for holding an election of the members of the Halk Maslahaty are placed in alphabetical order, indicating the surname, first name, patronymic, place of employment, position (occupation), and living address.
The implementation of the election observation
Election commissions perform the preparations for transparently organizing the elections.
The right to appoint national observers are extended to political parties, public associations, groups of citizens, and candidates.
Elections can be observed by candidate trustees, national observers.
For the purpose to hold elections transparently, 62 national observers from Ahal velayat, 89 Balkan velayat, 80 Dashoguz velayat, 84 Lebap velayat, and 92 Mary velayat were registered by respective election commissions, also 33 were registered by the Ashgabat city election commission.
On January 25, 2021 – certificates of recognition were issued to all registered national observers. The issuance of certificates and graphical forms was brought to the attention of the public through the mass media.
The number of national observers is 440 who are appointed by political parties of Turkmenistan, public organizations, groups of citizens, and candidates . Among them are 83 national observers appointed by the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, 60 by the Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Party, 72 by the Agrarian Party, 72 by the Trade Unions of Turkmenistan, 66 by the Women's Union, 67 by the Youth Union, 16 by the groups of citizens and 4 national observers were also appointed by the registered candidates under the law.
According to the experience created from other countries of the world, observers from international organizations and abroad are not invited to the indirect elections.
If representatives of international organizations in Turkmenistan, foreign embassies in Turkmenistan, wish to observe out democratic, transparent conduct of elections in electing the members of the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan then by consulting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan they can inform the Central Election Commission and freely go to the polls and observe the voting process under international norms and national laws.
Complaints and petitions
As of February 10, 2021, the Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan had not received any election petitions or complaints, and no violations related to the election season had been registered.
The organization of the voting and counting process
Voting in electing the members of the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan shall be held at the meeting of the velayat and Ashgabat city halk maslahaty.
One polling station will be arranged in each of the velayat and one in Ashgabat city, a total of six polling stations will be arranged across Turkmenistan.
Voting in electing the members of the Halk Maslahaty is organized by the velayat election commission.
In the elections of members of the Halk Maslahaty, pre-voting or voting outside the polling station is not allowed.
In the elections of members of the Halk Maslahaty, polling stations are not arranged in foreign countries.
The venues for the voting meetings of the members of the velayats and Ashgabat city halk maslahaty and the location of the polling places for the election day of the members of the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan – March 28, 2021, are the following:
Ashgabat city. «Mekan» palace;
Ahal velayat. House of culture in Anau of Ak bugday etrap;
Balkan velayat. Conference hall of velayat municipality;
Dashaguz velayat. Conference hall of velayat library;
Lebap velayat. Conference hall of velayat library;
Mary velayat. State drama theater named after Kemine.
Central Commission for Holding
Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan