Turkmenistan leader’s son wins presidential election

The election fee broadcasts after an uncommon delay that Serdar Berdymukhamedov secured practically 73 p.c of votes.

Serdar Berdymukhamedov claps at a press conference
Serdar Berdymukhamedov has risen by means of a collection of more and more distinguished authorities posts [File: Alexander Vershinin/AP]

Turkmenistan authorities have stated the son of the Central Asian nation’s chief received the presidential election after an uncommon vote-counting delay, establishing a political dynasty in one of many world’s most tightly managed international locations.

Serdar Berdymukhamedov, 40, secured 72.97 p.c of votes in Saturday’s election to steer the gas-rich nation and succeed his father Gurbanguly, the central election fee stated on Tuesday.

His nearest rival in a discipline of 9 candidates was college official Khyrdyr Nunnayev, who received 11 p.c.

There was an surprising look ahead to the end result, after authorities stated on Sunday they wanted extra time to rely the votes.

Central election fee chairman Gulmyrat Myradov instructed reporters that votes have been nonetheless being counted, together with these from folks dwelling overseas, and that preliminary outcomes would seemingly be reported on Monday.

Turkmenistan, an remoted nation of six million folks, sometimes broadcasts preliminary election outcomes on the next day, akin to when the elder Berdymukhamedov received re-election with greater than 97 p.c of the vote in 2017.

No election in Turkmenistan, which turned impartial with the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, has been thought of genuinely aggressive.

TURKMENISTAN ELECTION
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has established a cult of persona during the last 15 years of his rule [File: Alexander Vershinin/AP]

Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, 64, introduced the vote final month, saying the nation ought to be run by youthful folks.

He had been the nation’s chief since he was first appointed performing president when the eccentric Saparmurat Niyazov died in December 2006.

The elder Berdymukhamedov established a cult of persona with the title Arkadag, or Protector, and was eager to indicate his bodily health with stunts together with driving sports activities automobiles, goal taking pictures and hoisting a gold weightlifting bar to applause from his cupboard.

Beneath his rule, China changed Russia as the principle purchaser for Turkmenistan’s huge fuel reserves.

‘Wonderful path’

Serdar Berdymukhamedov has risen by means of a collection of more and more distinguished authorities posts and most lately has served because the nation’s deputy prime minister, answering on to his father.

He lately turned 40, the minimal age for president in line with the Turkmen regulation.

“My foremost objective is to proceed on the wonderful path of growth constructed throughout 30 years of independence and to efficiently implement packages geared toward making certain a excessive stage of social situations for the folks,” Serdar Berdymukhamedov stated whereas presenting his platform in a televised speech.

Talking to reporters after casting his poll, he promised to proceed the nation’s impartial overseas coverage if elected.

Throughout the marketing campaign, all candidates praised Berdymukhamedov’s father, who stated he'll retain the submit of the pinnacle of the nation’s higher home of parliament.

On voting day, people dancers and singers carried out as loud music blared from loudspeakers at polling stations.

Engulfing the stations have been fumes from burning harmala, a plant broadly utilized in Turkmenistan to fumigate houses and public areas to assist stop the unfold of infectious ailments.

A woman dressed in Turkmen national dress casts her ballot at a polling station
A girl wearing Turkmen nationwide costume casts her poll at a polling station throughout presidential elections in Ashgabat [File: Alexander Vershinin/AP]

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