Ashgabat, March 13 (TDH). The results of monitoring the preparation and conduct of the elections of the President of Turkmenistan were announced today, at the briefings of international observers representing the Mission of Observers from the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Organization of Turkic States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The events were attended by representatives of national and foreign media, as well as members of the Central Commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan.

Speaking to the audience, the heads of missions, expressing gratitude to the leadership of the country and the Central Election Commission for the invitation to participate in the most important socio-political event in the life of the state, noted with satisfaction that the Presidential elections in Turkmenistan were held successfully, in an organized manner, on a broad alternative basis, in the conditions of covertness and publicity, with a high activity of the electorate. According to the briefing participants, the invitation of international observers is seen as a desire of the country's leadership to ensure maximum transparency of the current campaign and democratic electoral process.

As noted, the evaluation of the missions is objective and corresponds to the real picture - both in preparation for the elections and in their conduct. According to the speakers, the outcomes and conclusions are based on the analysis of the national electoral legislation, direct observations and factual material collected during the stay of the mission members in our country. During meetings with candidates for the highest state post, representatives of international structures got acquainted with their programs, which are aimed at ensuring the prosperous life of the people of Turkmenistan and the further development of the country.

In their work, the observers were guided by the principles of political neutrality, non-interference in internal affairs, observance of the laws of the state, objectivity in assessing the election campaign, the organization and course of elections. In particular, the importance of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, which complies with the generally recognized norms of international law in the field of democratic elections and is a reliable legal basis for ensuring the free and open expression of the will of voters, was discussed.

Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that candidates from three parties, as well as from initiative groups of citizens, took part in the presidential elections. As the heads of missions stated, this testifies to the recognition of political diversity and multi-party system in our country.

The activities of the Central Commission for holding elections and referendums, election commissions of all levels, competent legal and informational support of the entire process were also noted. At the same time, it was emphasized that the level of democracy in the election campaign is increasing every time. As stated, the current presidential elections fully comply with the provisions of the Basic Law of Turkmenistan, the Electoral Code, and generally accepted norms of international law.

Members of the missions noted the role of domestic media in the information support of the election campaign. As is known, from the first days of the electoral process in the print and electronic media, on national television, events related to the nomination, registration and meetings of candidates for the President of the country with voters, and the organizational work carried out by the Central Election Commission were regularly covered. The publication of the election programs of the candidates allowed the electorate to get acquainted in detail with the labor milestones of the candidates for the highest state post, their concept of further development of independent neutral Turkmenistan.

It was also emphasized that the election campaign in Turkmenistan was held in compliance with sanitary standards, in a calm atmosphere. The preliminary results of the voting confirm that the Turkmen people voted for peace, stability, for a course aimed at the progressive development of the country.

Observers stressed that during the current elections, Turkmenistan once again demonstrated its commitment to friendly relations with all states of the world. At the same time, members of the missions stated that the Presidential elections held on March 12 this year were an important step in the further development of democratic processes in Turkmenistan.