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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (AP) — Turkmenistan residents voted Saturday in an election that would mark the start of a political dynasty for the gas-rich Central Asian nation’s sitting president.
President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, 64, introduced the vote final month, setting stage for his 40-year outdated son Serdar to take over. Preliminary outcomes are anticipated Sunday, however few doubt that the president’s son will win by landslide.
Serdar Berdymukhamedov has risen by way of a collection of more and more distinguished authorities posts and most not too long ago has served because the nation’s deputy prime minister, answering on to his father.
He’s dealing with what seems to be token competitors from eight different nominal contenders in Saturday’s vote, together with a deputy regional governor and a lawmaker.
“My predominant objective is to proceed on the wonderful path of improvement constructed throughout 30 years of independence and to efficiently implement applications aimed to make sure a excessive degree of social circumstances for the individuals,” Serdar Berdymukhamedov mentioned whereas presenting his platform in televised speech.
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Chatting with reporters after casting his poll, he vowed to proceed the nation’s impartial international coverage if elected.
No election in post-Soviet Turkmenistan has been thought-about genuinely aggressive. Whereas eight candidates ran in opposition to Berdymukhamedov within the final election in 2017, all expressed assist for his authorities and Berdymukhamedov garnered greater than 97% of the vote.
Berdymukhamedov got here to energy in 2006 after the demise of the eccentric Saparmurat Niyazov and established a pervasive persona cult much like that of his predecessor. Underneath his rule, the nation has remained troublesome for outsiders to enter. Turkmenistan has not reported any circumstances of an infection within the coronavirus pandemic.
It additionally has struggled to diversify its economic system, which is overwhelmingly depending on its huge pure fuel reserves. China has changed Russia as the highest export vacation spot for Turkmen fuel, whereas Russian demand is predicted to shrink additional amid tensions with the West over Russia’s warfare in Ukraine.
Berdymukhamedov has cultivated a picture of sturdy well being with media stunts that included firing a pistol at a man-sized goal whereas driving a bicycle and hoisting a gold weightlifting bar, to the applause of his Cupboard. He’s titled Arkadag, or Protector.
On a go to to a polling station along with his wheelchair-bound, 85 year-old mom, the Turkmen president hailed the vote as “historic.”
When Berdymukhamedov introduced the vote final month, he mentioned that the nation ought to be run by youthful individuals. His son has not too long ago turned 40, the minimal age for president in accordance with the Turkmen regulation.
In the course of the marketing campaign, all candidates praised Berdymukhamedov, who mentioned he’ll retain the publish of the top of the nation’s higher home of parliament.
Turnout was heavy, with over 90% of voters casting their ballots hours earlier than polls closed.
People dancers and singers carried out as loud music blared from loudspeakers at polling stations. Engulfing the stations the place fumes from burning harmala, a plant extensively utilized in Turkmenistan to fumigate houses and public areas to assist forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.
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