Turkmenistan goes to the polls in 'sham' election

Dreamer128 · 12-19-2004, 06:11 AM

Parliamentary elections are being held in the Central Asian republic of Turkmenistan today. But only one party is registered to contest the election, the Democratic Party, which is loyal to President Saparmurat Niyazov.

In 1999 parliament appointed President Niyazov leader for life, and he holds all real power in Turkmenistan. President Niyazov has pursued an extremely isolationist policy, and tries to regulate even the smallest details of the lives of Turkmens.

The elections in Turkmenistan are not taken seriously by the international community. And no foreign observers are monitoring them.

(rnw.nl)

johnny · 12-19-2004, 09:55 AM

Quote:

The elections in Turkmenistan are not taken seriously by the international community. And no foreign observers are monitoring them.

I have a feeling why too. Nobody knows even a teenie weenie bit about Turkmenistan, don't want to know anything about Turkmenistan, or don't give a crap what happens in Turkmenistan. Might just as well call it Verwegistan from now on. [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

Sir Degrader · 12-19-2004, 12:23 PM

I daresay the Turkmeni's (Turkmeni?) care about there elections. Meh, the UN only seems to care if it gets publicity, not if it actually accomplishes anything.

Stratos · 12-19-2004, 12:28 PM

What has the UN to do with the election in Turkmenistan?

General Nosaj · 12-20-2004, 05:26 AM

You can hardly call something an election when there is only one party to vote for!

The Hierophant · 12-20-2004, 05:34 AM

Hmmm, considering its strategic location bordering Iran on the Caspian Sea, as well as its alleged oil and gas resources, in addition to its significance concerning Afghani/Russian heroin traffiking, perhaps foreign observers should take an interest in Turkmenistani elections.

[ 12-20-2004, 05:36 AM: Message edited by: The Hierophant ]

Kakero · 12-20-2004, 06:12 AM

There was no foreign observers because the Turkmenistan government or the election body there ( if any ) did not ask for them to be present to monitor the election process. Then again I kinda agree with General Nosaj. What kind of an election is that with only one party to vote for?

Stratos · 12-20-2004, 08:18 AM

Kakero has a point, election observers are always invited.

Aerich · 12-20-2004, 12:23 PM

Looks like Turkmenistan hasn't got rid of at least one of the old Soviet practices - the one-party election with 103% of the vote going to the ruling party.

12-20-2004, 03:23 PM

Aside from having a "President for Life" what are the prevailing issues in turkmenistan? What issues of national and international import are being contested / worked out / fought about?

12-19-2004, 12:28 PM	#4
Stratos Vampire Join Date: January 29, 2003 Location: Sweden Age: 44 Posts: 3,888	What has the UN to do with the election in Turkmenistan? __________________ Nothing is impossible, it's just a matter of probability.

12-20-2004, 05:26 AM	#5
General Nosaj Zhentarim Guard Join Date: January 17, 2004 Location: Scotland Age: 38 Posts: 300	You can hardly call something an election when there is only one party to vote for! __________________ \"There shall be no mercy for those who challenge my fight for conquest. Heed this warning!\"-General Nosaj

12-20-2004, 05:34 AM	#6
The Hierophant Thoth - Egyptian God of Wisdom Join Date: May 10, 2002 Location: Dunedin, New Zealand. Age: 43 Posts: 2,860	Hmmm, considering its strategic location bordering Iran on the Caspian Sea, as well as its alleged oil and gas resources, in addition to its significance concerning Afghani/Russian heroin traffiking, perhaps foreign observers should take an interest in Turkmenistani elections. [ 12-20-2004, 05:36 AM: Message edited by: The Hierophant ] __________________ [img]\"hosted/Hierophant.jpg\" alt=\" - \" /><br />Strewth!

12-20-2004, 08:18 AM	#8
Stratos Vampire Join Date: January 29, 2003 Location: Sweden Age: 44 Posts: 3,888	Kakero has a point, election observers are always invited. __________________ Nothing is impossible, it's just a matter of probability.

12-20-2004, 12:23 PM	#9
Aerich Lord Ao Join Date: May 27, 2004 Location: Canada Age: 44 Posts: 2,061	Looks like Turkmenistan hasn't got rid of at least one of the old Soviet practices - the one-party election with 103% of the vote going to the ruling party. __________________ Where there is a great deal of free speech, there is always a certain amount of foolish speech. - Winston S. Churchill

12-19-2004, 06:11 AM	#1
Dreamer128 Dracolisk Join Date: March 21, 2001 Location: Europe Age: 40 Posts: 6,136	Parliamentary elections are being held in the Central Asian republic of Turkmenistan today. But only one party is registered to contest the election, the Democratic Party, which is loyal to President Saparmurat Niyazov. In 1999 parliament appointed President Niyazov leader for life, and he holds all real power in Turkmenistan. President Niyazov has pursued an extremely isolationist policy, and tries to regulate even the smallest details of the lives of Turkmens. The elections in Turkmenistan are not taken seriously by the international community. And no foreign observers are monitoring them. (rnw.nl)

12-19-2004, 12:23 PM	#3
Sir Degrader Thoth - Egyptian God of Wisdom Join Date: November 3, 2001 Location: Canada Age: 64 Posts: 2,871	I daresay the Turkmeni's (Turkmeni?) care about there elections. Meh, the UN only seems to care if it gets publicity, not if it actually accomplishes anything.

12-20-2004, 06:12 AM	#7
Kakero 40th Level Warrior Join Date: March 24, 2002 Posts: 10,215	There was no foreign observers because the Turkmenistan government or the election body there ( if any ) did not ask for them to be present to monitor the election process. Then again I kinda agree with General Nosaj. What kind of an election is that with only one party to vote for?

12-20-2004, 03:23 PM	#10
MagiK Guest Posts: n/a	Aside from having a "President for Life" what are the prevailing issues in turkmenistan? What issues of national and international import are being contested / worked out / fought about?

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