Sunday’s poll marks only the third time in more than 20 years of independence that Turkmenistan has held a presidential election, only the second time when there has been more than one candidate running.
Berdymukhammedov, who enjoys the support of the country’s only political party – the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan – trade unions and social organizations, won the first alternative election held in 2007 less than two months after his predecessor Saparmurat Niyazov died.
Berdymukhammedov has done little to fulfill campaign promises he made in 2007, such as loosening the strict controls over society put in place by Niyazov, or allowing other political parties to be registered but pledged to improve living standards if re-elected.
No Western election observers will monitor Sunday’s elections but election monitors from the CIS are already in the country.
written by the central newsroom
Source Article from http://www.rferl.org/content/turkmenistan_elections_berdymukhammedov/24481131.html
