2013 Turkmen parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in Turkmenistan on 15 December 2013.[1][2] Although they were the first multi-party elections in the country's history, both contesting parties claimed loyalty to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.[3] The ruling Democratic Party emerged as the largest faction in the Assembly with 47 of the 125 seats, losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since independence. The elections were criticized by the OSCE, Amnesty International, and opposition groups such as the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights.[4] Farid Tukhbatulin of the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights said that there was little difference between the two major parties, arguing that neither truly represented opposition groups.[4]

2013 Turkmen parliamentary election

15 December 2013 (2013-12-15)

All 125 seats to the Assembly of Turkmenistan
63 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party
 
Leader Kasymguly Babaev Ovezmammed Mammedov
Party TDP PIE
Leader since 18 August 2013 21 August 2012
Last election 125 New
Seats before 124 1
Seats won 47 14
Seat change –78 +14

Background

A new law on political parties was adopted in January 2012, with the government claiming it would make it easier for new parties to be formed to challenge the ruling Democratic Party.[5] Subsequently the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs was established in August 2012.[6]

Campaign

A total of 283 candidates registered to contest the 125 seats in the Assembly. The Democratic Party put forward 99 candidates, the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs nominated 28 candidates, whilst a further 163 were fielded by groups including a women's union, trade unions and a youth union.[7]

Results

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Democratic Party of Turkmenistan47–78
Organisation of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan33New
Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs14New
Women's Union of Turkmenistan16New
Magtymguly Youth Organisation8New
Citizen Groups7New
Total1250
Total votes2,797,637
Registered voters/turnout91.33
Source: Government of Turkmenistan

References

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