OREANDA-NEWS.  February 14, 2012. On February 12, the presidential election was held in a solemn atmosphere in Turkmenistan. Citizens came to the polling stations throughout the country to exercise their constitutional right – to vote for the worthiest of eight candidates standing for the post of the leader of the Turkmen state.

Under the current election law of Turkmenistan, election silence was observed in the country on February 11. Voting started at 8 a.m. in all the constituencies on February 12.according to the Central Commission for Election and Referenda, the voter turnout for the presidential election was 22.8 percent by 10 a.m. and 47 percent of eligible voters cast their votes by midday. The voter turnout was over 68 percent by 2 p.m., and 96.28 percent of the electorate cast their votes by the polling station closing time.

A festive atmosphere reigned at the polling stations across the country where this important political action took place. This day was especially memorable for young citizens who voted for the first time. They received flowers and souvenirs at the polling stations.

Among those who cast their votes for the progress and prosperity of the beloved Motherland were valorous military servants who stand guard day and night over the peaceful life and constructive labour of citizens. Officers and soldiers of military units and detachments across the country balloted for the worthiest candidate for the post.

According to the Central Commission for Election and Referenda, the election campaign in the Turkmen capital and all the regions of the country was held at the high organisational level and in compliance with the national laws and standards of international law. This fact was acknowledged by national observers who had conducted monitoring of the election process at the local level. This could be witnessed by the members of the Observer Mission of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the delegation of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Middle East and West Asia Division of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs who were on a visit in Turkmenistan. They had an opportunity to witness every aspect of the election process and the unity and solidarity of the Turkmen people.

The presidential election and the related activities attracted keen interest of the international community and the mass media worldwide. Many foreign journalists who visited polling stations on the day of the presidential election could witness an atmosphere of democracy and free will of the election process.

Thus, the election of the President of Turkmenistan is an accomplished fact. The voting results will be announced within the next few days, but even today it can be stated that this important political action was held in a democratic atmosphere that allowed for freedom of expression and became a landmark in the modern history of the independent Turkmen state.