Turkmenistani presidential election, 2007

Presidential elections were held in Turkmenistan on February 11, 2007, following the death of President for Life Saparmurat Niyazov on 21 December 2006.

Election date

After Niyazov's death on December 21, 2006, Acting President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow stated that the date for the next presidential election would be announced on December 26, 2006; he also claimed that these elections would be held "on a democratic basis that has been laid by the great leader". []

Seeking to boost voter participation, officials warned inhabitants of Lebap Province that they would not get their monthly flour rations if they failed to vote. [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/02/0083fc34-8fff-4556-84ee-16d19d387ee3.html Polls Closed In Turkmen Presidential Election] . RFE/RL. February 11, 2007] At the same time first-time and elderly voters were promised "gifts" for voting. Later reports indicated that the gift consisted of the late Niyazov's ubiquitous Ruhnama.

Results

Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow was declared the winner of the election on February 14, receiving 89.23% of the votes according to official results, and was sworn in as president immediately afterwards.cite news |title=New Turkmen President Sworn In|url=http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/02/29f5fc12-0ee2-4e95-a44a-46ef09d5b4c0.html |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=2007-02-14 |accessdate=2007-03-06 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.turkmens.com/TurkmenNews/Taze.html Video presentation of the six candidates] tk icon