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
All 125 seats to the Assembly of Turkmenistan 63 seats needed for a majority
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

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Democratic Party of Turkmenistan			47	–78
	Organisation of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan			33	New
	Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs			14	New
	Women's Union of Turkmenistan			16	New
	Magtymguly Youth Organisation			8	New
	Citizen Groups			7	New
Total				125	0
Total votes		2,797,637	–
Registered voters/turnout			91.33
Source: Government of Turkmenistan

References

1. Jim Nichol (Congressional Research Service) (16 May 2011). "Turkmenistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests" (PDF). fas.org. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
2. "Elections in the OSCE Area in 2013". osce.org. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. 18 June 2012. Archived from the original on 8 March 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
3. No whiff of dissent in Turkmenistan's first multi-party vote Reuters, 15 December 2013
4. "Rights groups criticise Turkmenistan elections". BBC News. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
5. Turkmenistan adopts new law on political parties in bid to boost competition RIA Novosti, 11 January 2012
6. Industrialists and entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan established political party Turkmenistan.ru, 22 August 2012
7. FACTBOX-Parties and candidates in Turkmenistan's parliamentary election Reuters, 13 December 2013