OREANDA-NEWS. December 3, 2008. The delegation of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) – an international, non-profit, Washington, DC-based organization had a meeting at the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda of Turkmenistan. The guests arrived in Turkmenistan to get acquainted with the electoral system of Turkmenistan in the context of the upcoming election to the Mejlis of the fourth convocation. IFES Chief of Party in Azerbaijan M. Dan Blessington and IFES Chief of Party in the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Dan Malinovich took part in the meeting which turned into a sincere and serious conversation.

During the meeting the Turkmen specialists made presentations on the major trends in the fundamental reforms initiated in the country by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and aimed at building the democratic jural state.

Those speaking at the meeting noted that the major international principles and standards of the UN conventions ratified by Turkmenistan as well were incorporated in the current election legislation of Turkmenistan. All these principles underlay the new Law of Turkmenistan “On Elections to the Mejlis of Turkmenistan” setting forth the organizational, legal, economic and other measures guaranteeing citizens of Turkmenistan the constitutional rights to elect and be elected, to participate in the election campaigns and procedures. Moreover, the Law establishes the procedures of registration of national and international observers and mass media. A great number of the experts of the European countries and the authoritative international organisations are expected to arrive to observe the upcoming parliamentary election in Turkmenistan.

The IFES experts made presentations on the activities conducted by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems in some countries. In particular, funded by such organisations as OSCE and USAID the Foundation provided technical assistance in developing electoral systems and implemented the civil education programmes.

The participants unanimously called for further mutually beneficial exchange of experiences and information.