The mission of observers from the CIS, headed by the First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee - Executive Secretary of the CIS Leonid Anfimov, began monitoring the presidential elections in Turkmenistan, which will be held on March 12. The mission, within its powers, will observe the course of the pre-election campaign and directly the voting on the election day.

At a meeting with the leadership of the Central Commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan, the CIS observers were acquainted with the plan of activities planned by the CEC and, in general, with the work done on the ground. It was noted that the current election campaign is being conducted in accordance with the main principles of international norms in force in this area. These are universal suffrage, voluntary participation of citizens in elections held on an alternative basis, the creation of equal opportunities for all candidates, freedom of campaigning, protection of the electoral rights of citizens, as well as publicity and openness of the campaign.

As Leonid Anfimov stressed at the meeting, the mission of observers from the CIS will carry out its activities on the basis of generally accepted international norms, independently, without interfering in the internal affairs of the state. The purpose of the mission is to promote the holding of free and democratic elections.

Also, observers from the CIS were received at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. During the conversation, an exchange of views took place on preparations for the upcoming March 12 presidential elections in Turkmenistan and the organization of the work of international observers.

Source: Turkmenistan.ru