Parliamentary election in Turkmenistan 2013
The 2013 parliamentary elections in Turkmenistan were held in Turkmenistan on December 15, 2013 . The 125 MPs in the Assembly of Turkmenistan were elected , with more than one party running for the first time in the history of independent Turkmenistan.
Electoral system
The electoral system was largely shaped by the constitution of Turkmenistan from 2008, which was first applied in the parliamentary elections in Turkmenistan in 2008 . Accordingly, the Assembly of Turkmenistan with 125 members is the parliament in a unicameral system . MPs are elected by majority vote in 125 constituencies across the country. A candidate needed an absolute majority of at least 50% of the votes cast to win a seat in parliament. If none of the candidates in the first ballot succeeds, a runoff election between the two most successful candidates in the first ballot was held within two weeks of the first ballot. The right to vote was granted to all Turkmen citizens who were at least 18 years old at the time of the election, with detainees and people who were judged to be unqualified by a court being excluded from voting. The right to stand for election was valid for all citizens aged at least 25 years, who can prove a permanent residence in Turkmenistan for at least ten years and who have no previous convictions . The organization of the election was the responsibility of the Central Election Commission with its local branches. The nomination of candidates could be made by political parties, public associations and civic groups.
Parties and candidates
In addition to the dominant Democratic Party of Turkmenistan , the party of industrialists and entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan ran for the first time. In addition, the organization of trade unions, the Union of Women of Turkmenistan, the youth organization Magtymguly and numerous civic groups nominated candidates. A total of 99 candidates from the Democratic Party, 21 candidates from the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, 89 candidates from the Trade Union Organization, 37 candidates from the Union of Women, 22 candidates from the Magtymguly youth organization and 15 candidates from various civic groups. None of the parties and organizations achieved a nationwide presence in all of the country's 125 electoral districts.
Election campaign
The election campaign was barely visible to the public and met with little public interest. The only visible form of the election campaign were standardized election posters that displayed a photo and a candidate's résumé. Similarly, the candidates were also featured in the country's newspapers. Smaller election campaign events in schools or public buildings shaped the election campaign. At events of this type, cases have been reported of people being pressured by their managers to support a particular candidate. Events were also organized by local authorities to introduce candidates in a specific constituency, where candidates could present their résumés and political plans. The central political message was mostly the unconditional support of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and his policies. This homogeneity of the field of applicants made clear the lack of pluralism in the authoritarian ruled Turkmenistan.
Result
The official election result was announced by the Central Election Commission on December 18. Accordingly, the President's Democratic Party lost its absolute majority in the Turkmen parliament for the first time. This fact had little practical relevance, however, as Parliament could still be viewed as completely loyal to the President. The turnout was given as 91.33%.
| Political party | Seats |
|---|---|
| Democratic Party of Turkmenistan | 47 |
| Organization of the trade unions | 33 |
| Union of Women of Turkmenistan | 16 |
| Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan | 14th |
| Youth organization Magtymguly | 8th |
| Citizens groups | 7th |
| total | 125 |
rating
An observer mission from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe concluded that the election clearly fell short of democratic standards. In particular, the strict control of the political environment in Turkmenistan, the suppression of all opposition and the systematic restriction of fundamental rights in Turkmenistan led to this assessment. Despite the registration of another party and the participation of clubs and civic groups, OSCE observers concluded that voters in Turkmenistan were not given a real choice as the candidates were all loyal to the president. Amnesty International also condemned the election on the grounds of an atmosphere of total oppression and the pervasive fear in Turkmen society . Turkmen officials, however, spoke of further democratization of the country after the election .
Individual evidence
- ↑ OSCE (ed.): OSCE / ODIHR Election Assessment Mission Final Report . 1st edition. Warsaw March 4, 2014, p. 4-7 .
- ↑ OSCE (ed.): OSCE / ODIHR Election Assessment Mission Final Report . 1st edition. Warsaw March 4, 2014, p. 11 .
- ^ Deutsche Welle (www.dw.com): First multi-party election in Turkmenistan | DW | 12/15/2013. Accessed June 6, 2020 (German).
- ^ Political parties in Turkmenistan - Think Tank. Retrieved June 6, 2020 .
- ↑ OSCE (ed.): OSCE / ODIHR Election Assessment Mission Final Report . 1st edition. Warsaw March 4, 2014, p. 12-13 .
- ^ Results of the elections to the National Parliament. Retrieved June 6, 2020 .
- ↑ a b Rights group decry Turkmen elections . In: BBC News . December 19, 2013 ( bbc.com [accessed June 6, 2020]).
- ↑ OSCE (ed.): OSCE / ODIHR Election Assessment Mission Final Report . 1st edition. Warsaw March 4, 2014, p. 1-2 .
