Turkmen Central Electoral Commission set up

Turkmen President Saparmyrat Niyazov has spoken of the need for presidential rule in Turkmenistan to avoid confusion between the executive and legislative branches of power. At the same time, he advocated giving more powers to parliament and congress, including the power to remove the president. President Niyazov was speaking at a meeting, a report on which was broadcast on Turkmen TV at 1600 gmt on 30th April, to mark the setting up of a 15-member Central Electoral Commission in preparation for the parliamentary elections in December 1999.

Processing as excerpts for release by 1800 gmt 01st May 1999.

Source: Turkmen Television first channel, Ashkhabad, in Turkmen 1600 gmt

30 Apr 99 BBC Mon CAU300499/18 VA