Ashgabat, 15 September 2016 (nCa) — Three political parties and any number of independent groups may field their candidates for the next presidential elections in Turkmenistan, scheduled to take place in February 2017.
President Berdymuhamedov, in his speech at the Elders Council meeting on Wednesday in Ashgabat said, “”the year 2017 is coming. This will be a time of major historic events. This includes election of the president of Turkmenistan. I believe that the upcoming presidential elections should demonstrate political maturity and activity to determine the country’s future. And I am sure that the presidential elections will be held in the atmosphere of active civil engagement.
He said, “We have three political parties: Democratic Party, Agrarian Party, Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. Competition between the three parties will give to elections new level of alternative and will improve the political culture on democratic basis.”
The Electoral Code, adopted in May 2013, defines the right to elect and to be elected by secret ballot for the presidential post.
“Presidential candidates should be nominated on the basis of equality. The equal conditions on the basis of transparency and openness should be created for them,” said the president. /// nCa