Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: 125 territorial electoral districts are formed with approximately equal number of voters for the elections of deputies of the Mejlis.
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 10
Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of the President of Turkmenistan (2011), art. 10
Verified: 2013/03/05
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
a . "Equality" of population
Comments: Approximately equal number of voters.
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 10
Verified: 2013/03/05
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
e . Electoral Management Body (EMB)
Comments: Central Commission for Elections and the Conduct of Referenda in Turkmenistan
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 10
Verified: 2013/03/05
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
a . Head of State is the Head of Government c . Directly elected in general elections (absolute majority with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: The President of Turkmenistan is the head of the state and executive power. The President of Turkmenistan shall be elected directly by the people of Turkmenistan for a period of seven years.
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2016), Article 68 & 70: http://www.osce.org/odihr/262336?download=true.
Verified: 2013/03/05
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
b . Directly elected in general elections, absolute majority (with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: The President of Turkmenistan is the head of the state and executive power. The Cabinet of Ministers (Government) of Turkmenistan shall be the executive and administrative body. The President of Turkmenistan shall be the Chairperson of the Cabinet of Ministers.
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2016), Article 68 & 91: http://www.osce.org/odihr/262336?download=true.
Verified: 2013/03/05
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2016), Article 68: http://www.osce.org/odihr/262336?download=true.
Verified: 2013/03/05
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: The Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan shall be the highest representative body, exercising the legislative authority.
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2016), Article 77: http://www.osce.org/odihr/262336?download=true.
Verified: 2013/03/05
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
k . No information available
Comments: The Mejlis shall consist of 125 deputies, elected from constituencies with approximately equal number of voters, for five years.
The Chairperson of the Mejlis shall be elected by secret ballot.
Vice Chairperson of the Mejlis shall be elected by open ballot.
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2016): Article 78 & 88: http://www.osce.org/odihr/262336?download=true.
Verified: 2017/02/14
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution
Comments:
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2016), Section V: http://www.osce.org/odihr/262336?download=true.
Verified: 2013/03/05
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections c . Local elections d . Referendums e . Other
Comments: There are separate laws for the elections of the President, the deputies of the Mejlis, members of the halk maslahaty (Peoples Council) and Gengesh.
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2016), Section V, Article 120-129: http://www.osce.org/odihr/262336?download=true.
Verified: 2013/03/05
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments: The citizens of Turkmenistan, who attained the age of 18, shall have the right to vote; each voter shall have one vote.
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2016), Article 120: http://www.osce.org/odihr/262336?download=true.
Verified: 2013/03/05
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
e . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2013/03/05
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level b . Regional level c . Local level
Comments: Subordinate to the CEC are 5 Regional Election Commissions (REC), 125 District Election Commissions (DECs) and Precinct Election Commissions (PECs).
Source: OSCE/ODIHR Assessment of the Electoral Legislation, Section V, No. 22: http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/92391?download=true.
Verified: 2017/02/14
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
h . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2017/02/14
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments: Elections, including the electoral campaigns of candidates, are financed from the state budget.
The OSCE/ODIHR NAM was informed that these
materials, including posters and leaflets, will be prepared by the CEC with funds provided from the
state budget.
The Mejlis shall:
3) Examine the issues related to approval of the state budget of Turkmenistan and report on its implementation.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission report on 2013 Parliamentary Elections (Pg 2 & 8): http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/turkmenistan/104831?download=true.
Constitution of Turkmenistan (2016), Article 81, No.3: http://www.osce.org/odihr/262336?download=true.
Verified: 2013/03/05
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
e . No information available
Comments: The principles for the formation and powers of the CEC are stipulated in the Law on the Central Commission for Holding Elections and Referenda, adopted on 21 May 2011.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR Assessment of the Electoral Legislation, Section III, Art 16: http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/92391?download=true.
Verified: 2017/02/14
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
e . No information available
Comments: The principles for the formation and powers of the CEC are stipulated in the Law on the Central Commission for Holding Elections and Referenda, adopted on 21 May 2011.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR Assessment of the Electoral Legislation, Section III, Art 16: http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/92391?download=true.
Verified: 2017/02/14
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
d . Other
Comments: The principles for the formation and powers of the CEC are stipulated in the Law on the Central Commission for Holding Elections and Referenda, adopted on 21 May 2011.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR Assessment of the Electoral Legislation, Section III, Art 16: http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/92391?download=true.
Verified: 2017/02/14
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
e . No Information Available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2017/02/14
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
a . Head of State g . Political parties
Comments: All members [of the CEC] are appointed by the president, based on proposals by political parties and public associations.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR Assessment of the Electoral Legislation, Section V, No. 21: http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/92391?download=true.
Verified: 2017/02/14
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
c . Local/County Electoral Management Bodies d . National Government
Comments: Electoral process shall be executed on the basis of publicity and broad awareness of the citizens.
The citizens of Turkmenistan shall be guaranteed the right to receive and disseminate information on the matters of preparation and holding of the elections. To this effect, electoral committees, state and public organs and the citizens shall have right to use press, television, radio and other publicly available means of communication of information.
The electors shall be notified of the time and place of voting by the precinct election commissions.
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on the Guarantees of Electoral Rights of the People of Turkmenistan (1999), art. 10;
Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 39;
Law on Elections of the President of Turkmenistan (2011), art. 43
Verified: 2013/03/05
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
d . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2013/03/05
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
m . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2013/03/05
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments:
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 89: http://www.legislationline.org/documents/section/constitutions/country/51 (2013);
Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 2;
Law on Elections of the President of Turkmenistan (2011), art. 3 (1)
Verified: 2013/03/05
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship
Comments: The citizens of Turkmenistan, having reached the age of 18, have the right to vote.
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 89: http://www.legislationline.org/documents/section/constitutions/country/51 (2013);
Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 2;
Law on Elections of the President of Turkmenistan (2011), art. 3 (1)
Verified: 2013/03/05
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
d . Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: Precinct election commissions
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 26
Verified: 2013/03/05
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: All citizens of Turkmenistan who have reached 18 years of age by polling day, residing in the territory of a given electoral precinct at the moment when the voter list is compiled and entitled to participate in voting, shall be included in the voter list. A voter may be included in a voter list in only one electoral precinct.
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 27;
Law on Elections of the President of Turkmenistan (2011), art. 25
Verified: 2013/03/05
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
f . Other
Comments: Candidates for deputy of the Mejlis may be nominated by:
- political parties and public associations which have been registered according to the procedure established by law;
- meetings of citizens.
A candidate for deputy of the Mejlis shall be deemed to have been nominated if more than half of the members of the respective nominating body of the public association have voted for him/her.
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 29, 30
Verified: 2013/03/05
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship d . Residence j . Other
Comments: Citizens of Turkmenistan who will have reached the age of 25 by polling day and have permanently resided in Turkmenistan for not less than 10 years before the nomination as candidate for deputy may be nominated as candidates for deputy of the Mejlis.
A person with a conviction, which by the time of nomination has not been exculpated or pardoned according to the legally established procedure, may not be nominated as a candidate for deputy of the Mejlis.
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 90: http://www.legislationline.org/documents/section/constitutions/country/51 (2013);
Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 29
Verified: 2013/03/05
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
e . In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments:
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 29, 31;
Law on Elections of the President of Turkmenistan (2011), art. 27, 29
Verified: 2013/03/05
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
c . Indirect
Comments: Political parties, when carrying out their activities in accordance with their Charter and Programme, shall have the right to use the following state support:
1) ensuring of equal conditions and guaranteed access to the state media;
2) provision of state-owned premises and means of communication under the
established procedure;
3) ensuring of equal conditions for participation in elections, as well as social, political and other events.
The procedure for reimbursement of expenses of political parties connected with their participation in elections shall be established by the electoral legislation of Turkmenistan. However, such legislation has not yet been enacted.
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on Political Parties (2012), art. 29 (1, 2)
Verified: 2013/03/05
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
g . Not applicable
Comments: The procedure for reimbursement of expenses of political parties connected with their participation in elections shall be established by the electoral legislation of Turkmenistan. However, such legislation has not yet been enacted.
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on Political Parties (2012), art. 29 (1, 2)
Verified: 2013/03/05
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Financial means and other property of political parties shall be formed from the following sources:
1) admission and membership fees in accordance with the Charter;
2) donations;
3) profits from events conducted by political parties, their organizations and structural subdivisions as well as from entrepreneurial activities of an auxiliary nature;
4) money transfers received for civil law transactions; and
5) other sources not prohibited by the legislation of Turkmenistan.
Political parties shall have the right to accept donations from natural and legal persons in the form of cash and other property which are confirmed by respective documents and with the indication of sources.
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on Political Parties (2012), art. 26, 27, 28
Verified: 2013/03/05
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
a . The polling stations
Comments:
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 43;
Law on Elections of the President of Turkmenistan (2011), art. 50
Verified: 2013/03/05
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
a . Never recounted
Comments:
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 43, 44;
Law on Elections of the President of Turkmenistan (2011), art. 50, 51
Verified: 2013/03/05
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
a . Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Comments: Political parties which have gone through state registration shall have the right to use the state media on equal conditions.
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on Political Parties (2012), art. 23 (7), 29 (1)
Verified: 2013/03/06
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
c . No
Comments: No information about the organization of televised debates is available in the observation mission reports of the OSCE/ODIHR.
Source: Needs Assessment Mission Report on the Parliamentary Elections in Turkmenistan (OSCE/ODIHR, 2012): http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/86861 (2013);
Needs Assessment Mission Report on Early parliamentary Elections in Turkmenistan (OSCE/ODIHR, 2008): http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/turkmenistan/34606 (2013);
Needs Assessment Mission Report on the Parliamentary Elections in Turkmenistan (OSCE/ODIHR, 1999): http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/turkmenistan/23724
Needs Assessment Mission Report on the Presidential Election in Turkmenistan (OSCE/ODIHR, 2007): http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/turkmenistan/23722
Verified: 2013/03/06
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
h . Not applicable
Comments: The Law doesn't specify any blackout period.
Source: Law on Elections of the President of Turkmenistan (2011);
Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008)
Verified: 2013/03/06
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: The Law does not contain any provisions on paid advertising.
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on Political Parties (2012);
Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 38
Verified: 2013/03/06
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 94, 95, 97, 98, 117, 57 (2), 61 (1), 63 (5): http://www.legislationline.org/documents/section/constitutions/country/51 (2013);
Law on Referendum of Turkmenistan (1993)
Verified: 2013/03/06
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The Acts to amend the Constitution shall be considered adopted if voted for
by at least two-third of the established deputies of Mejlis, or in case of a national referendum, if supported by more than half of the participating citizens of Turkmenistan.
Decisions adopted by referendums may be repealed or amended only through
referendum.
The question for removal of President of Turkmenistan from the office is put on national referendum.
Parliament can be dissolved prematurely on the basis of a decision through national referendum.
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 94, 117, 57 (2), 61 (1): http://www.legislationline.org/documents/section/constitutions/country/51 (2013)
Verified: 2013/03/06
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: National and local referendums may be organized to address the most important issues of state and public life.
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 63 (5), 94 (1): http://www.legislationline.org/documents/section/constitutions/country/51 (2013)
Law on Referendum of Turkmenistan (1993), art. 4 & 5
Verified: 2013/03/06
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The Mejlis has the right to call a national referendum at the proposal of at least two thirds of its deputies or at the proposal of at least 250 thousand citizens who have the right to vote.
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 95: http://www.legislationline.org/documents/section/constitutions/country/51 (2013);
Law on Referendum of Turkmenistan (1993), art. 9-11
Verified: 2013/03/06
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2008): http://www.legislationline.org/documents/section/constitutions/country/51 (2013)
Verified: 2013/03/06
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Parliament can be dissolved prematurely on the basis of a decision through national referendum.
The question for removal of President of Turkmenistan from the office is put on national referendum.
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 57 (2), 61 (1): http://www.legislationline.org/documents/section/constitutions/country/51 (2013)
Verified: 2013/03/06
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
a . Always binding
Comments: Decisions made by a referendum may be repealed or changed only by referendum.
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 94, 117: http://www.legislationline.org/documents/section/constitutions/country/51 (2013);
Law on Referendum of Turkmenistan (1993), art. 28 & 29
Verified: 2013/03/06
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
c . Both constitutional and other issues
Comments:
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 94, 95, 97, 98, 117, 57 (2), 61 (1), 63 (5): http://www.legislationline.org/documents/section/constitutions/country/51 (2013);
Law on Referendum of Turkmenistan (1993), art. 4 & 5
Verified: 2013/03/06
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Local referendums can be carried out for decision of major questions of state and public life.
The right to conduct local referendum belongs to Gengesh on its territory, or
at the suggestion of no less than one quarter of voters residing in that territory.
Source: Constitution of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 94 (1), 96: http://www.legislationline.org/documents/section/constitutions/country/51 (2013);
Law on Referendum of Turkmenistan (1993), art. 1, 5 & 10
Verified: 2013/03/06
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections d . At specially designated polling stations e . At mobile polling stations
Comments:
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 27, 40, 42;
Law on Elections of the President of Turkmenistan (2011), art. 25, 46, 47 (7), 49
Verified: 2013/03/05
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country g . Other
Comments:
Source: Law on Elections of the President of Turkmenistan (2011), art. 24 (5), 48;
Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 11, 26
Verified: 2013/03/05
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
a . Embassies b . Consulates
Comments:
Source: Law on Elections of the President of Turkmenistan (2011), art. 11 (4), 12 (1);
Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 11, 12
Verified: 2013/03/05
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments: Applies to presidential elections. Voting procedures for legislative elections are unknown.
Source: Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 41;
Law on Elections of the President of Turkmenistan (2011), art. 46 (4)
Verified: 2013/03/05
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