The gas-rich Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan, on Sunday (March 26) held voting for its parliamentary elections. The polling stations closed at 7:00 pm (local time), with the turnout being an estimated 91.12 per cent of the 3.5 million eligible voters, said the country’s Central Elections and Referendums Board.&nbsp;

The election comes nearly a year after President Serdar Berdymukhamedov came to power a year ago following a hereditary succession. Aside from the 125 lawmakers of the unicameral parliament, called the Mejlis, the people also voted for members of the Assembly of Turkmenistan and other local government bodies who will remain in office for five years.&nbsp;

The elections were contested by 258 candidates for the 125 seats in the assembly and over 2,644 ballot boxes were set up across the country, reported Anadolu Agency. However, information about their policies was difficult to find, said a report by AFP, adding that the candidates represent three parties and several groups of citizens.&nbsp;

There is very little known about the former Soviet republic as it reportedly remains one of the most repressive and secretive states. However, Berdymukhamedov and his father had previously said that the elections will be held in line with democratic principles.&nbsp;

In 2006, former dentist and health minister Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov came to power succeeding the nation’s founding president Saparmurat Niyazov after his death. Last year, the 65-year-old Gurbanguly handed over the country to his son Serdar following a token snap election while retaining his position as a chair of the upper house of parliament.&nbsp;

Entrepreneur Maksat Redjenov from Turkmenistan told AFP, that after Serdar took over “a lot of people were expecting major reforms from the new president. We expected new factories to be built, the country to open up, the arrival of tourists, that state control would ease.” However, Turkmenistan remains one of the world’s most closed-off countries.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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The gas-rich Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan, on Sunday (March 26) held voting for its parliamentary elections. The polling stations closed at 7:00 pm (local time), with the turnout being an estimated 91.

The gas-rich Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan, on Sunday (March 26) held voting for its parliamentary elections. The polling stations closed at 7:00 pm (local time), with the turnout being an estimated 91.12 per cent of the 3.5 million eligible voters, said the country’s Central Elections and Referendums Board. The election comes nearly a year after President Serdar Berdymukhamedov came to power a year ago following a hereditary succession. Aside from the 125 lawmakers of the unicameral parliament, called the Mejlis, the people also voted for members of the Assembly of Turkmenistan and other local government bodies who will remain in office for five years. The elections were contested by 258 candidates for the 125 seats in the assembly and over 2,644 ballot boxes were set up across the country, reported Anadolu Agency. However, information about their policies was difficult to find, said a report by AFP, adding that the candidates represent three parties and several groups of citizens. There is very little known about the former Soviet republic as it reportedly remains one of the most repressive and secretive states. However, Berdymukhamedov and his father had previously said that the elections will be held in line with democratic principles. In 2006, former dentist and health minister Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov came to power succeeding the nation’s founding president Saparmurat Niyazov after his death. Last year, the 65-year-old Gurbanguly handed over the country to his son Serdar following a token snap election while retaining his position as a chair of the upper house of parliament. Entrepreneur Maksat Redjenov from Turkmenistan told AFP, that after Serdar took over “a lot of people were expecting major reforms from the new president. We expected new factories to be built, the country to open up, the arrival of tourists, that state control would ease.” However, Turkmenistan remains one of the world’s most closed-off countries. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Turkmenistan concludes parliamentary elections after a controlled vote

Turkmen leader Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is certain to secure a third term in office in Sunday&#39;s presidential election, maintaining his grip on power in the isolated gas-rich nation.

Berdymukhamedov, 59, has run the former Soviet republic of five million people with an iron fist for a decade after succeeding equally autocratic president-for-life Saparmurat Niyazov who died in 2006. Berdymukhamedov, a dentist by training, has kept in place Niyazov&#39;s repressive political system which tolerates no political opposition or public expressions of discontent, while refocusing his predecessor&#39;s elaborate personality cult on himself.

While Niyazov was known as Turkmenbashi, the head of all Turkmen, Berdymukhamedov is often referred to as Arkadag, the protector. Gilded statues of both leaders have been erected in Ashgabat, the capital city.

Berdymukhamedov cast his ballot at a downtown polling station after arriving with his family, including his son Serdar who last year became a member of parliament after winning a by-election. &quot;Turkmenistan&#39;s goal is joining the ranks of the industrially developed nations,&quot; Berdymukhamedov told reporters, adding that all candidates had had equal opportunities in the election campaign.

Running against Berdymukhamedov are eight other candidates, all of them public servants, managers of state-owned companies or nominees of political parties completely loyal to the government. In the previous election in 2012, Berdymukhamedov won 97 per cent of the vote.

Turkmenistan has no election threshold, but by 1100am local time (0600 GMT), 51.45 per cent of voters had already cast their ballots, the Central Election Commission said. Last year, Turkmenistan amended its constitution in a way that could allow Berdymukhamedov to stay in power indefinitely, removing the 70-year age limit for presidential candidates and extending the presidential term to seven years from five.

This consolidation of power has been taking place against a background of slowing economic growth and shortages of foreign currency due to Russia&#39;s decision to halt imports of Turkmen gas, Ashgabat&#39;s main source of export revenue.

Moscow had long been the main buyer of Turkmen gas and sales to China, although significant, have not completely offset the loss of Russian money flows.

Faced with budget deficits after years of surpluses, the authorities are considering scaling down a generous welfare system which includes free gasoline rations. Amid the gas row, Turkmenistan has also flatly rejected the idea of Russia providing military assistance to the Central Asian nations in the light of escalating violence in neighbouring Afghanistan; it has also vehemently denied claims of violent incidents at the Afghan border.

(Reuters)

Berdymukhamedov, a dentist by training, has run the former Soviet republic of five million people with an iron fist for a decade

Turkmen leader Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is certain to secure a third term in office in Sunday's presidential election, maintaining his grip on power in the isolated gas-rich nation. Berdymukhamedov, 59, has run the former Soviet republic of five million people with an iron fist for a decade after succeeding equally autocratic president-for-life Saparmurat Niyazov who died in 2006. Berdymukhamedov, a dentist by training, has kept in place Niyazov's repressive political system which tolerates no political opposition or public expressions of discontent, while refocusing his predecessor's elaborate personality cult on himself. While Niyazov was known as Turkmenbashi, the head of all Turkmen, Berdymukhamedov is often referred to as Arkadag, the protector. Gilded statues of both leaders have been erected in Ashgabat, the capital city. Berdymukhamedov cast his ballot at a downtown polling station after arriving with his family, including his son Serdar who last year became a member of parliament after winning a by-election. "Turkmenistan's goal is joining the ranks of the industrially developed nations," Berdymukhamedov told reporters, adding that all candidates had had equal opportunities in the election campaign. Running against Berdymukhamedov are eight other candidates, all of them public servants, managers of state-owned companies or nominees of political parties completely loyal to the government. In the previous election in 2012, Berdymukhamedov won 97 per cent of the vote. Turkmenistan has no election threshold, but by 1100am local time (0600 GMT), 51.45 per cent of voters had already cast their ballots, the Central Election Commission said. Last year, Turkmenistan amended its constitution in a way that could allow Berdymukhamedov to stay in power indefinitely, removing the 70-year age limit for presidential candidates and extending the presidential term to seven years from five. This consolidation of power has been taking place against a background of slowing economic growth and shortages of foreign currency due to Russia's decision to halt imports of Turkmen gas, Ashgabat's main source of export revenue. Moscow had long been the main buyer of Turkmen gas and sales to China, although significant, have not completely offset the loss of Russian money flows. Faced with budget deficits after years of surpluses, the authorities are considering scaling down a generous welfare system which includes free gasoline rations. Amid the gas row, Turkmenistan has also flatly rejected the idea of Russia providing military assistance to the Central Asian nations in the light of escalating violence in neighbouring Afghanistan; it has also vehemently denied claims of violent incidents at the Afghan border. (Reuters)

Turkmenistan leader certain to win third term in today's presidential election

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Turkmenistan concludes parliamentary elections after a controlled vote

Turkmenistan leader certain to win third term in today's presidential election