Nomination of candidates for presidency underway in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan, Ashkhabad, Dec 21 / Trend H.Hasanov/ Preparation for presidential elections scheduled for February 12, 2012 in Turkmenistan grows; the Turkmen government reported quoting the CEC on Wednesday. A meeting of representatives of the country's Union of economists and state concern Turkmengas in Ashgabat nominated the head of the Marygazchykarysh under Turkmengas Kakageldi Abdyllaev as a single candidate for presidency. Governor of the Babadayhansk district of the Akhal velayat Aydogdy Kakabaev was also nominated as a candidate for the presidency at a meeting of the steering groups in the Akhal, Balkan and Mary provinces. The head of the Turkmennebitgeofizika State Concern Turkmenneft Nikita Rejepov and director of Maryazot at State Concern Turkmenchemistry Myrat Charygulyev were also nominated as presidential candidates. Registration of candidates will be held open until January 18, 2012. Current President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who has been leading the country since 2007, has been nominated as the presidential candidate of social organisations since mid-December. Deputy Chairman of the Civil Service of Maritime and River Transport of Turkmenistan Rozygeldi Rozygulyeva and the head of Halach district of Lebap area Myratgeldi Dzhumageldiev were proposed to be included in the list of presidential candidates. The representatives of consumer associations and agricultural workers societies in the country nominated deputy hakim (governor) of the Dashoguz velayet area and Agriculture Minister Recep Bazarov as a presidential candidate. The Turkmen leader said that the presidential election of 2012 "will take place on a democratic basis based on openness and transparent principles." The Constitution states that the President of Turkmenistan must be a citizen of the country, who was born in Turkmenistan, is at least 40 years old and no older than 70 years, who knows the state language, has been resident in Turkmenistan within the past 15 years and 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