Turkmen CEC meets OSCE experts

The Turkmen Central Electoral Commission has met experts of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Trend reports.

Turkmenistan is preparing for presidential polls of February 12. Eight candidates are running for president, including Incumbent President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who has been at power since 2007.

Authoritive international organizations were informed about the electoral legislature of Turkmenistan, including the new law on presidential polls.

The OSCE plans to meet parliamentary officials, representatives of the National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights of the Turkmen president, the State Committee for Television, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography, Turkmen State Information Service and heads of public organizations in Ashkhabad.

Off-schedule votes started for people unable to attend the polling stations on February 2, according to the law.

CIS will take part in the monitoring process.

According to the Turkmen Constitution, a president should be no younger than 40 and no older than 70, needs knowledge of the state language and constant residence in Turkmenistan for 15 years working at state structures, public organizations, enterprises or organizations. A president has 5 years of office.