Candidates for president nominated in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Dec 20 / Trend H.Hasanov/ The Turkmen Central Election Commission receives the candidates' proposals for nomination for the highest state post, the Turkmen government said on Monday. The presidential elections are scheduled for February 12, 2012. "The main principle of the expanded campaign is a broad alternative basis as a precondition for the further strengthening of native democratic traditions in the Turkmen society," the report said. "Thus, representatives of consumer associations and agricultural workers in the country nominated deputy head on agriculture of Dashoguz area Recep Bazarov as a presidential candidate. Moreover, two initiative groups of Lebap area submitted their proposals to the CEC. It was proposed to include Deputy Chairman of the Turkmen Civil Service of Maritime and River Transport Rozygeldi Rozygulyev and the head of Halach district of Lebap province Myratgeldi Jumageldiev in the list of presidential candidates. According to the law on "Elections of the Turkmen President", the initiative groupswill be engaged in the collection of at least 10,000 signatures in 30 percent of cities and districts in Turkmenistan to register each of the nominees as candidates for the highest state post in the near future. Incumbent Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who has been heading the country since 2007, has been nominated as the presidential candidate from social organizations last week. The Turkmen leader said that the presidential election- 2012 will take place in a democratic, alternative basis and the principles of the democracy, openness and transparency. The President also stressed that the forthcoming elections will be monitored by national and foreign observers. The next presidential elections in Turkmenistan will be based on the Constitution and taking into account the UN and OSCE international electoral standards, Turkmen MPs said. This topic was discussed during a recent meeting between President Berdimuhamedov, OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake. Particularly, the U.S. State Department spokesman said that this important social and political event is a good opportunity to demonstrate the achievements of democratic, political and socio-economic reforms in Turkmenistan. According to the Constitution, the President of Turkmenistan must be a citizen of and born in Turkmenistan, aged at least 40 and no older than 70 years, know the state language, have resided in Turkmenistan over the past 15 years and have worked in state bodies, public associations, enterprises in institutions and organisations. The Presidential term is five years. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az