Ashgabat is the capital of TurkmenistanASHGABAT, Mar 12 In Turkmenistan at 7.00 (5.00 GMT) in On Saturday, 2,577 polling stations opened for voting in the early presidential elections, which will last until 19.00 (17.00 Moscow time), RIA Novosti correspondent reports. Voting is also taking place at 41 polling stations opened at the diplomatic and consular institutions of Turkmenistan abroad. Here it will last from 7.00 to 19.00 local time of the state in which the polling station is located. Nine candidates nominated in accordance with the law by three political parties registered in the country and a group of citizens apply for the highest state post in Turkmenistan. The legislation of Turkmenistan does not establish a turnout threshold voters, therefore, the elections will be recognized as having taken place with any activity of voters. According to the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, the Central Election Commission, no later than on the seventh day after the elections, sums up their results, draws up a protocol and announces the results of the elections. The candidate who received more than half of the votes of the voters who took part in the voting will be declared the elected president. A citizen of the country who was born on its territory, is not younger than 40 years old, speaks the state language, has been permanently residing and working for the previous 15 years in the country. The President of Turkmenistan is elected directly by the people of the country for a period of seven years and takes office from the moment he takes the oath. The inauguration of the new president of the country will take place on March 19.
