As of 2 p. m. local time 2,037,892 people (68.22 per cent of all voters) have taken part in the presidential election being held in Turkmenistan.
Thus the Central Electoral Commission of the republic declared the elections valid, the commission said in a statement.
According to reports, the elections are proceeding in a calm atmosphere.
Eight candidates are competing in the elections. Among them are incumbent President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, deputy governor of Dashoguz province Recep Bazarov, head of Turkmengaz state concern's department Kakageldy Abdyllaev, governor of Turkmennneft State Concern's trust Gurbanmamed Mollanyyazov, water resources minister Annageldy Yazmyradov, head of the construction ministry's production association Esenkuli Gayipov, director of the Gokdepe cotton spinning mill Saparmyrat Batyrov and energy and industry minister Yarmuhammet Orazgulyev. All in all there are 2,987,324 voters in the country. There are 2307 polling stations, including 29 abroad.
