Citing lack of respect for fundamental freedoms, OSCE/ODIHR final report on Turkmenistan parliamentary elections recommends measures to bring process in line with OSCE commitments

The 15 December 2013 parliamentary elections in Turkmenistan took place in a strictly controlled political environment characterized by a lack of respect for fundamental freedoms central to democratic elections, says the final report from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) released on 3 March 2014.

The report adds that the absence of political pluralism and an insufficient separation of powers between different branches of government further contributed to elections that need to be significantly improved to meet OSCE commitments and other international obligations for genuine and democratic elections.

The report recommends steps to effectively enforce the constitutional principle of separation of powers and to avoid undue interference by state officials in internal party activities, in line with OSCE commitments and other international obligations.

Acknowledging that the new Election Code addresses some previous OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, it notes continued shortcomings in the legal framework, including in provisions related to voting rights, the appointment of election officials and the overall transparency of the electoral process.

The report also recommends that undue restrictions of the right to stand for parliament should be removed from the legal framework and the stipulation that citizens may support only one candidate be reconsidered.

Among other recommendations are the introduction of a comprehensive system for regulating campaign finance, the development of an efficient system of voter registration, the creation of an environment for the establishment of private and independent media, and the enhancement of transparency and accountability in the electoral dispute resolution system.