Election Comes to Voters in Turkmenistan

Few voters turned out at polling stations in Turkmenistan for Sunday’s parliamentary election, forcing officials to carry ballot boxes door to door. But the government announced a nearly 77% turnout in the former Soviet republic that is ruled by a one-time Communist boss who is now president for life.

The 131 candidates contesting parliament’s 50 seats represent public organizations or the Central Asian nation’s only party, the Democratic Party, led by President Saparmurad A. Niyazov.

Niyazov reduced the parliament’s role in 2003, stripping it of the right to make constitutional changes, and made the People’s Council -- a handpicked assembly of more than 2,000 officials and elders headed by himself -- the country’s highest legislative body. He uses the council to legitimize decisions.

All the candidates officially support Niyazov’s policies and based their campaigns on promoting the ideas in his book, “Ruhnama,” which sets moral and spiritual guidelines for citizens.

Election officials said 76.88% of eligible voters cast ballots Sunday, far more than the required 50% to make the vote valid.

However, polling stations in the capital, Ashgabat, were almost empty throughout the day and election officials were going door to door with ballot boxes.

From early morning, officials were knocking on people’s doors to remind them of the election. As a special incentive, authorities prepared gifts for elderly and first-time voters, handing out Niyazov’s book, towels and notebooks.

“We have other things to worry about,” said retiree Lyudmila, explaining why she didn’t vote.

“I didn’t even know about any elections,” she said. She gave only her first name.

Niyazov prefers to be called Turkmenbashi, or “father of all Turkmens,” and his image adorns buildings across the country. His golden statue in Ashgabat rotates to always face the sun.