PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS DISCUSSED IN TURKMENISTAN
ASHGABAD, May 19 (Interfax)

The Central Commission for Elections
and a Referendum in Turkmenistan held its first session on Wednesday to
discuss the preparation for parliamentary polls.
The commission has told Interfax that it endorsed a time-table of
sessions and a calendar plan of events, preceding the polls that are
scheduled for December 12. The central election body is to count votes
and name newly-elected legislators within ten days after the polls.
The parliamentary elections in Turkmenistan have generated so much
interest, because after elections the new majlis or parliament will have
additional powers to control the executive branch which has been the
president's exclusive right in the past. Also, these will be the first
elections to the legislative assembly during which the election campaign
will be monitored by international observers.