President: Elections to be open and transparent in Turkmenistan in 2012

Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Dec. 3 / Trend H. Hasanov / Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the presidential elections scheduled for February 12, 2012 will take place on a democratic, alternative basis and the principles of democracy, openness and transparency, the national TV channel "Altin Asir" said today. "Speaking about the forthcoming major socio-political event, the Turkmen President emphasized that the elections will be held on a democratic, alternative basis and the principles of democracy, openness and transparency, as the previous elections," the Turkmen President was quoted by TV channel. "The Turkmen President expressed confidence that the forthcoming elections will be monitored by national and foreign observers," "Neutral Turkmenistan" newspaper said today. Turkmen MPs reported that the next presidential elections in Turkmenistan will be held on the basis of the Constitution and taking into account the UN and the OSCE international electoral standards. This theme was touched upon during the recent meetings between the Turkmen President and the OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier and U.S Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake. According to the Constitution, the President of Turkmenistan must be a citizen of Turkmenistan, born in Turkmenistan, aged at least forty and no older than seventy years, know the state language, reside in Turkmenistan over the past fifteen years, and work in a state bodies, public associations, enterprises in institutions and organizations. Presidential term is five years. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az