Turkmen, Turkmenistan News

Production and distribution of rap music is not officially banned, but it's clear that rappers have to watch their step.

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov spent his first months in office in 2007 reversing some of the more controversial policies of his predecessor, Saparmurat Niyazov.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe did not send monitors to the poll after criticising the lack of democratic reform there.

As is customary in Turkmenistan, music poured forth from several polling stations in Ashgabat as dance troupes did their bit, perhaps even upping the tempo a little to compensate for the unusual, subfreezing temperatures.

Turkmen leader set for easy victory in election * President Kurbanguly only recognised candidate in poll * Central Asian state holds 4 percent of global gas reserves * Rights groups say freedoms restricted ASHGABAT: Turkmenistan votes on Sunday in a one-sided election certain to extend the rule of President Kurbanguly... Larijani warns Gulf Arab ... (more)

ASHGABAT, February 13 -- The presidential elections ended in Turkmenistan on Sunday.

Polls opened in Turkmenistan on Sunday in a presidential election, in which incumbent President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov is seen as the most likely candidate to win another term.

Turkmenistan votes on Sunday in a one-sided election certain to extend the rule of President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov over a Central Asian country holding 4 percent of global gas reserves, which rights groups rank among the world's most repressive.

Turkmenistan votes on Sunday in a one-sided election certain to extend the rule of President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov over a Central Asian country holding 4 percent of global gas reserves, which rights groups rank among the world's most repressive.

Eight candidates are running for president, each with the same message: vote for the incumbent.

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has a friendly dove on his shoulder during a Day of Turkmen state holiday in April, 2011.

A delegation of the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan will participate in the presidential elections in Turkmenistan as observers.

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ASHGABAT, February 8 - The head of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Ashgabat, Ambassador Sergei Belyayev told foreign accreduted reporters in Turkmenistan that "the government of Turkmenistan has not extended an official invitation to the OSCE for sending observers to the presidential election." "It is o... ... Read the ... (more)

Natural gas from a pipeline from Turkmenistan will be cheaper than rival plans from an Iranian gas field in the Persian Gulf, a Pakistani minister said.

Turkmenistan will hold a presidential election 12 February. Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, who has been president since the country's last president-for-life died in office in December 2006, will win.

The CIS Observer Mission welcomes the measures taken by the Turkmen government, including the executive authorities and the country's Central Election Commission "to ensure free, fair and democratic elections", the mission said.

Shipments of natural gas to Iran from Turkmenistan have returned to normal levels, Fars news agency reported, citing Iranian ambassador to Ashgabat, Mohammad-Mousa Hashemi.

By Joshua Foong LONDON, Feb 7 -- Malaysian firms should capitalise on the vast business opportunities in Turkmenistan as the Central Asian nation seeks to intensify contacts in a broad spectrum of economic partnership.

A meeting was held with a group of experts of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights in the Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan, the Turkmen government said on Monday.