Active preparations is under way in Turkmenistan for the upcoming elections of deputies of the Mejlis, members of the velayat, etrap and city Halk Maslahaty and Gengesh to be held on March 26. As is known, the main principle of the current campaign is a broad alternative basis, which is an indispensable condition for further strengthening the primordial democratic traditions in the life of the Turkmen society.

These days, in accordance with the legislation in force in the country, the election campaign is in progress everywhere, during which candidates for deputies of the national parliament, local representative authorities and local self-governments, and their proxies hold meetings with the electorate.

Voters get acquainted with the professional and organizational qualities, the main courses of the election programs of candidates, which essence aims to ensure the progress and prosperity of Turkmenistan, enhance the welfare of its people.

During an interested conversation about further development of the country, the candidates answer numerous questions from voters, specifying the provisions of their election platform and assuring that they will apply their knowledge, abilities, experience and efforts to implement large-scale reform programs initiated by National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and successfully carried on by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

All registered candidates, pursuant to the national electoral legislation and the provisions of international law, are given equal rights and opportunities to organize meetings with voters.

It should be noted that the right to represent their constituencies in the national parliament and in local governments is challenged by the most worthy people who enjoy great respect and trust of their compatriots.

Currently, lists of registered candidates are published in the central and local press. In addition, they started to appear on national television.

The preparations for the elections are widely covered in the domestic media, including the preparation of special broadcasts on the rights of voters, and announcement of the provisions on preparations for the elections.

In the near future, the CIS Observer Mission will begin its work, which will include representatives of the Commonwealth countries such as parliamentarians, prominent public figures, diplomats, as well as representatives of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member States, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia, and employees of the CIS Executive Committee.

It is important that the electoral legislation of Turkmenistan has undergone significant changes towards greater openness, transparency, democracy, and it is now fully complies with the generally recognized regulations of international law. Thus, the right to nominate candidates for deputies of the Mejlis, members of the velayat, etrap and city Halk Maslahaty and Gengesh was exercised by three political parties. These are the Democratic Party, the Agrarian Party and the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. Some candidates are nominated by groups of citizens. All candidates are given equal rights and opportunities to organize meetings with voters, appear on television, radio, and in print media. Operational information is published on the specialized website of the Central Commission for Holding Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan.

The necessary conditions have been created for the work of national and international observers, which testifies to the openness and transparency of the electoral process.

The current election campaign is an event of particular importance, designed to promote to a new level the civic consciousness of the country’s society, which is confidently following the path of deepening democracy, socio-political reforms and establishing the principles of genuine democracy.