SCO Observers Mission starts working in Turkmenistan

On 24 March 2018, SCO Deputy Secretary-General and Head of the Mission of SCO Observers Nurlan Akkoshkarov met with Chair of Turkmenistan's Central Commission for Holding Elections and Referendums Gulmurad Muradov.

Mr Myradov thanked SCO Mission members for overseeing the preparations for and holding of the 25 March 2018 general election of members of regional, district and city people's assemblies and members of the Council, and noted the SCO's fruitful efforts to oversee the elections in Turkmenistan.

Mr Akkoshkarov expressed his gratitude for an invitation to SCO Mission members to monitor this important political event in Turkmenistan and stressed special attention towards the Mission's activities.

"The upcoming general election of members of the Assembly of Turkmenistan, members of regional, district and city people's assemblies and members of the Council, scheduled for 25 March 2018, is a key national event. The SCO attaches particular significance to its Mission's activities. We aim to conduct high-quality and unbiased work and to provide an objective assessment of the election process after completing our work," Mr Akkoshkarov noted.

He informed Mr Myratov on the SCO Mission's concept dealing with all aspects of the election process in great detail. He also added that Mission members planned to work in Ashgabat as well as the country's five provinces. On election day they will visit polling stations in Ashgabat and Ahal Region, in Mary and Mary Region, Balkanabat and Balkan Region, Turkmenabat and Lebap Region, and Dasoguz and Dasoguz Region.

During their lengthy conversation, Mr Akkoshkarov and Mr Myratov touched upon legal matters concerning the organisation of the work of the foreign observers in Turkmenistan prior to and on the actual election day.