These days, the Mission of Observers from the Commonwealth of Independent States, which arrived at the invitation of Turkmenistan, began monitoring the election campaign for the upcoming elections.

Within the framework of the meetings of the Deputy Secretary General of the CIS I. Nematov with the Chairman of the Central Commission for Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issues related to the upcoming elections to the parliament, local representative authorities and local self-government bodies were discussed. The guest was informed in detail about the course of the election campaign, which is taking place in a constructive atmosphere and in accordance with national legislation. It was stated that all the necessary conditions would be created for the successful work of the Mission.

In turn, I. Nematov spoke about the principles of the CIS Observer Mission and the organization of its work, which will be built in accordance with the legislation of Turkmenistan and based on the generally recognized principles and norms of international law in the field of organizing and holding elections. At the same time, the Mission proceeds from the fact that elections are an internal affair of the state. Therefore, among its tasks is the assessment of the election campaign for compliance with national legislation and the provision of assistance in holding free and democratic elections.

It is planned that the Mission will include at least 50 observers from the Commonwealth countries - parliamentarians, prominent public figures, diplomats, as well as representatives of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member States, the Parliamentary Assembly of Belarus and Russia, employees of the CIS Executive Committee.

The disseminated message of the Mission confirms that all stages of the election campaign are taking place in strict accordance with the electoral legislation.

Thus, 125 district election commissions and 572 election commissions of cities in etraps, settlements and gengeshliks were formed.

125 constituencies have been formed for the election of deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, in particular, in the city of Ashgabat - 17, in Akhal velayat - 16, Balkan velayat - 10, Dashoguz velayat - 27, Lebap velayat - 26, in Mary velayat - 29.

According to the elections of members of the velayat halk maslahaty, 240 constituencies have been created - 40 in each velayat and the city of Ashgabat. According to the elections of members of the etrap, city halk maslahaty, 20 constituencies were created in each etrap and city - a total of 960: in Akhal velayat - 140, Balkan velayat - 180, Dashoguz velayat - 160, Lebap velayat - 180, Mary velayat - 220, in the city of Ashgabat - 80 districts.

A total of 14,872 candidates have been nominated and registered throughout the country. Of these, 258 candidates for deputies of the national parliament, 515 candidates for members of the halk maslahaty: velayats and the city of Ashgabat, 2001 for members of etrap and city halk maslahaty, and 12,098 candidates for Gengeshes. Among the applicants are qualified specialists from all sectors of the economy, representatives of various professions and nationalities.

Candidates were nominated on a free and equal basis, and the procedure for nomination and registration itself was open, in compliance with the requirements of national legislation. The pre-election campaign and coverage of the election campaign in the media, which began from the moment the elections were announced, will last until March 25.

2-3 candidates were nominated for one seat in all districts, which meets the principles of alternativeness, determined by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, a necessary condition for holding elections that provide equal rights and opportunities for nominees.

They ran for the Democratic Party - 6241 applicants, the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs - 523, the Agrarian Party - 3577, as well as from groups of citizens - 4531, where their candidacies were proposed by the general meeting of voters living in the territory of a certain constituency.

About three thousand national observers are registered from the Democratic Party, the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the Agrarian Party, public organizations. They were issued certificates of the established form.

The participation of their representatives as observers in the elections was announced in the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States and from the Organization of Turkic States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Representatives of the United Nations, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and foreign media are also expected to arrive.

According to the Electoral Code, political parties, public organizations, candidates, their proxies, groups of citizens are provided with free campaigning. Candidates are guaranteed equal conditions of access to the media.

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

Voters get acquainted with the professional and organizational qualities, the main directions of the election programs of candidates, their essence lies in the intention to ensure the progress and prosperity of Turkmenistan, to increase the well-being of their native people.

In the course of an interested conversation about the 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 grandiose reform programs initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and successfully implemented by the President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

All registered candidates, in accordance with national electoral legislation and international law, are given equal rights and opportunities to organize meetings with voters and speak in the media.

The defining principles of the current election campaign, as well as all previous ones, are broad alternativeness, publicity and openness - indispensable conditions for the establishment of democratic norms in the life of our society. The right to become a deputy of parliament, a representative of local authorities, as well as local self-government bodies is disputed by worthy citizens who enjoy the respect and trust of their compatriots.

In total, 125 deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan are to be elected throughout the country. Elections of members of the velayat halk maslahaty will be held in 240 constituencies, members of etrap and city halk maslahaty - in 960, members of Gengeshes - in 5897 constituencies. 2644 polling stations have been created for voting.