On March 10, the Interim President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a joint meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Security Council of Turkmenistan with the participation of the hyakims of the velayats and Ashgabat dedicated to preparations for the elections, the state information agency TDH reports .

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic, Banking and International Financial Organizations and presidential candidate Serdar Berdimuhamedov reported on the financing of the elections. Money from the state budget was used to print ballots, prepare instructions for velayat and city electoral commissions, disseminate information about candidates, and host international observers and representatives of foreign media.

Deputy Prime Minister Shahym Abdrakhmanov , who oversees the oil and gas industry , said that in accordance with the norms of the Central Election Commission, on March 12, about 7,000 workers in the industry working on a traveling and rotational basis will take part in the voting.

Deputy Prime Minister Esenmyrat Orazgeldiyev , who oversees the agro-industrial complex , said that 19 polling stations have been created at enterprises and institutions of the agro-industrial complex.

The official also reported on the provision of food products to shopping centers and shops in the country on election days.

Deputy Prime Minister Charymyrat Purchekov , who is in charge of the construction, industrial and energy complex , said that 10 polling stations have been created at the enterprises and institutions of the complex.

Deputy Prime Minister for Trade Chary Gylyjov said that 364 polling stations have been created by the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Textile Industry.

According to him, Aýdyn gijeler ES is installing “smart” disinfecting passages at polling stations. On the same day, Turkmenistan: The Golden Age reported that disinfection devices would only be installed in 300 polling stations ( there are 2,577 in total, according to the CEC ). They are a tunnel with the function of detecting a living body and the presence of a protective mask, storing pictures of faces and images . They are equipped with equipment for automatic reading of body temperature.

Deputy Prime Minister for Culture and Media Myahrijemal Mammedova reported that singers, musicians and bakhshis would perform at polling stations on election day, and information about the elections would be broadcast live on national television and radio.

According to Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Education, Health and Sports Sapardurdy Toyliyev , 1,826 polling stations have been established in educational institutions ( according to the CEC, there are 98,940 voters in the country who have reached the age of 18 ), 65 in sports schools and 3 in medical institutions .

2,620 representatives from political parties and public associations are registered as national observers.

Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov recalled that 41 polling stations were opened in 30 countries.

It should be noted that the entire diplomatic missions of Turkmenistan (embassies and consulates) exist in 30 countries, that is, we can conclude that, according to Meredov, presidential elections will also be held in Ukraine.

Meredov also said that the Mission of observers from the CIS arrived in Turkmenistan and the participation of observers from the Organization of Turkic States, the SCO, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and neighboring countries is expected.

Director General of the Transport and Communications Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers Mammetkhan Chakiev said that transport would be provided for the Mission of Observers from the CIS and foreign guests who arrived in the capital at the invitation of the Turkmen side .

In connection with the increase in passenger traffic on the election day, the population of velayats and cities will be provided with transport and taxis .

TDH writes that voting at polling stations will be held in digital format and broadcast online on the CEC website . For a live broadcast, the Türkmenaragatnasyk agency will lay an optical cable to the polling stations and install webcams.

Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs, Secretary of the State Security Council Charymyrat Amanov reported on the provision of law and order in all regions and in the capital, as well as compliance with fire safety rules at polling stations.

The heads of regions and the capital also reported on the preparations for the elections. Thus, 310 polling stations have been created in Ashgabat, 364 polling stations in the etraps of the Akhal velayat and the city of Tejen, 30 of which will work online.

There are 272 polling stations in the Balkan velayat, 30 of which will work online. There are 523 polling stations in Dashoguz velayat, 30 of which will work online. There are 559 polling stations in Lebap velayat and 549 polling stations in Mary.

Based on the results of the reports, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov instructed:

• Meredov to process ballots in foreign polling stations in a timely manner and submit information to the CEC;

• Toylyev - to supervise rapid tests for COVID-19 for international observers ( according to the CEC, more than 50 international observers will observe the elections ), PECs and other persons participating in the campaign. Before the start of the elections, disinfect the polling stations, take precautionary measures, and ensure the operation of medical posts ;

• Amanov to ensure that the military and law enforcement officers take an active part in the elections;

• Purchekov - to carry out organizational and technical measures for the safe operation of electrical appliances and equipment at polling stations. Ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity to polling stations, the safe operation of precinct election commissions, and ensure uninterrupted power and water supply to the population on election day ;

• To Orazgeldiev and Gylydzhov – to organize mobile points near the polling stations, where they can offer various dishes, fruits and drinks to international observers and voters , as well as to organize trade in local products;

• heads of regions - to ensure the general turnout of voters .

In conclusion, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the inauguration ceremony will be held on March 19 at the Oguzhan Palace Complex, after which the ceremonial events will continue at the Reception Center.

Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan