Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Feb 21/ Trend H. Hasanov/
The presidential elections in Turkmenistan held on February 12, 2012, was 'a significant step in country's movement towards the path of progress and new democratic reforms', the final report of CIS observation mission says.
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov gained 97.14 per cent of votes at recent elections where eight candidates also took part.
'The presidential elections in Turkmenistan were highly organised in accordance with applicable state election laws and generally accepted democratic norms. The electoral commission, the executive and local government authorities ensured the rights of Turkmen citizens to freedom of expression and the presidential elections have made a significant step in Turkmenistan's movement on the path of progress and creativity in implementing the new democratic reforms', the report says.
For the first time, the CIS mission observed the preparation and conduct of presidential elections in Turkmenistan at the invitation of the country's Central Election Commission.
63 observers were accredited, including representatives from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, InterParliamentary Assembly of the CIS, the executive committee of the CIS and Parliamentary Assembly of the Belarus-Russia Union.