On 25 March, the SCO Observer Mission headed by SCO Deputy Secretary-General Grigory Logvinov began monitoring the elections for deputies of Turkmenistan's Mejlis, members of the People’s Council (Halk Maslakhaty) from provinces, districts, cities, and local councils (gengesh).
The mission comprised 15 accredited observers: representatives of legislative and executive bodies and diplomatic missions of the SCO member states (nine persons), as well as officials from the SCO permanent bodies – the Secretariat and RATS (six persons).
On the eve of the voting day, the mission visited a number of polling stations, where it assessed the preparations for the voting process, the general atmosphere and the observance of the silence principle.
As part of the monitoring activities, the mission met with the chairman of the Turkmenistan Central Election Commission, as well as members of the city, district and precinct election commissions.
The SCO mission continued its practice of working together with observer missions from other international organisations, in particular from the CIS.
During a meeting with CIS Secretary-General Sergei Lebedev, the sides confirmed their common approaches to election observation based on the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and assessing elections solely in terms of compliance with the legislation of Turkmenistan.
On the voting day, the mission visited polling stations in Ashgabat and the Ahal Region.
On 27 March, the observers will participate in a final press briefing.
Pursuant to the Constitutional Act of 21 January 2023 On Amendments and Supplements to the Constitution of Turkmenistan, the bicameral Parliament of Turkmenistan was reorganised into a unicameral parliament – the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. The former upper house of parliament, the People’s Council (Halk Maslakhaty), has become the highest representative body for the interests of the Turkmen people.
In accordance with the Constitution, elections for deputies of the Mejlis, members of the People’s Council from provinces, cities with the rights of a province, districts, cities with the rights of a district, and members of local councils (gengesh) are based on universal, equal and direct suffrage, in a secret ballot on an alternative basis.
Three political parties – the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, the Industrialists and Entrepreneurs' Party and the Agrarian Party – are taking part in the elections.