# Elections in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan elects on national level a head of state — the president — and a legislature. The elections in Turkmenistan since its split from the Soviet Union have been widely criticized for being neither free nor fair and attempting to give an appearance of legitimacy to what is in reality a dictatorship. The parties of Turkmenistan are the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, the Agrarian Party of Turkmenistan, and the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. The president has a seven-year term, while the legislature has a five-year term.

## Presidential elections

After declaring independence from the Soviet Union, the president was set to be elected for a five-year term by the people. President Saparmurat Niyazov, was elected unopposed on 21 June 1992. In a referendum in January 1994, it was decided that he would be president for eight more years. In 1999, the country's parliament named him president for life. He died on 21 December 2006. An election to replace him was held on 11 February 2007, which was won by ruling party candidate Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.

## Legislative elections

Turkmenistan elects a legislature on a national level. The Assembly (Mejlis) has 125 members, elected for a five-year term in single seat constituencies. Political parties are the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan (TDP), the Agrarian Party of Turkmenistan (TAP) and the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (TSwTP). Prior to 2008, Turkmenistan was a one-party state under the TDP. The Halk Maslahaty (People's Council) which is considered the ultimate representative body, has more than 2,500 members; it was abolished in late 2008. All legal parties currently support the government.

## Latest elections
### Presidential election

The Central Election Committee reported on 15 March that Serdar Berdimuhamedow won the election with 72.97% of the vote. University official Hydyr Nunnaýew came in second place with 11.09%. Unlike in prior elections, the preliminary results were not available on the day after the election. Berdimuhamedow received the lowest number of votes out of any winning candidate in all Turkmen presidential elections. Turnout was reported at 97% according to the Central Election Committee.
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Serdar Berdimuhamedow | Democratic Party of Turkmenistan | 2,452,705 | 72.97 |
| | Hydyr Nunnaýew | Independent | 372,525 | 11.08 |
| | Agajan Bekmyradow | Agrarian Party of Turkmenistan | 242,685 | 7.22 |
| | Berdimämmet Gurbanow | Independent | 74,690 | 2.22 |
| | Perhat Begenjow | Democratic Party of Turkmenistan | 67,770 | 2.02 |
| | Maksatmyrat Öwezgeldiýew | Independent | 38,881 | 1.16 |
| | Maksat Ödeşow | Democratic Party of Turkmenistan | 38,801 | 1.15 |
| | Kakageldi Saryýew | Independent | 36,568 | 1.09 |
| | Babamyrat Meredow | Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan | 36,412 | 1.08 |
| Total | Total | Total | 3,361,037 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 3,361,037 | 99.97 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 1,015 | 0.03 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,362,052 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 3,460,080 | 97.17 |
| Source: Watan |||||

### Assembly election

| | Democratic Party of Turkmenistan | | | 65 | +10 |
| | Agrarian Party of Turkmenistan | | | 24 | +13 |
| | Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs | | | 18 | +7 |
| | Independents | | | 18 | –30 |
| Total | Total | | | 125 | 0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 3,185,935 | – | | |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 3,496,304 | 91.12 | | |
| Source: CEC (turnout), Turkmen Portal (seat distribution) ||||||

### People's Council election

Ballots were counted, and results declared the next morning. The following candidates were elected:
Successful candidates in the 2021 Turkmen People's Council election :
| Ahal Province | Balkan Province | Dasoguz Province | Lebap Province | Mary Province | Ashgabat City |
| Enejan Ataýewa | Annatagan Amanow | Ýazdurdy Altybaýew | Ahmed Bekiýew | Orazdurdy Abdyýew | Mähri Bäşimowa |
| Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow | Araz Arazow | Ýazmämmet Ataýew | Begenç Çaryýew | Maksat Atajanow | Nazar Çöliýew |
| Döwletgeldi Çaryýew | Maral Ataklyçewa | Babajyk Babajykow | Babamurat Halow | Gurbanmyrat Ataýew | Muhammetnazar Geldiýew |
| Ogulmaral Hojaýewa | Döwletgeldi Gazakow | Amangylyç Golbaýew | Bähbit Pigamow | Batyr Gylyçdurdyýew | Jeýhun Igdirow |
| Seýdi Jumaýew | Wepaberdi Goýunlyýew | Ýeňiş Haýytjanow | Gülnaz Rejepowa | Halymberdi Hajyýew | Bazar Muhammetgulyýew |
| Hydyrmuhammet Orazmämmedow | Süleýman Gylyçjanow | Abdulla Kakaýew | Umida Saparowa | Ogulgerek Hydyrowa | Baýramgözel Myradowa |
| Aýgözel Öwezowa | Äşe Hanalyýewa | Atageldi Musaýew | Bahar Seýidowa | Merdan Kömekow | Döwletmyrat Myratgulyýew |
| Eşret Täşliýew | Täzegül Nyýazowa | Akmyrat Taganow | Magtym Ýangibaýew | Parahat Şamyradow | Aýgözel Nurlyýewa |
Twenty-seven percent of the winning candidates were women. Berdimuhamedow was alleged to have received 100% of the vote.