Presidential Election, 12 February 2017

Mission at a glance

Head of Mission: Ambassador Urszula Gacek

Core team of six experts from five OSCE participating States, based in Ashgabat

Mission schedule

1 February: Opening of the mission

12 February: Election day

15 February: Closing of the mission

Following an invitation to observe the 12 February 2017 presidential election in Turkmenistan, based on the findings and conclusions of the Needs Assessment Mission deployed from 5 to 8 December 2016, and in accordance with its mandate, the OSCE/ODIHR has deployed an Election Assessment Mission (EAM) for this election.

The OSCE/ODIHR EAM, headed by Ambassador Urszula Gacek, began its work in Turkmenistan on 1 February. The EAM includes six experts, drawn from five OSCE participating States.

The mission will assess the electoral process in terms of its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as national legislation. Observers will, in particular, look into issues related to the legal framework for elections and its implementation, the work of the election administration, candidate and voter registration, the media environment, and complaints and appeals procedures.

In line with OSCE/ODIHR methodology, the OSCE/ODIHR EAM will not carry out systematic or comprehensive observation of the voting, counting, and tabulation on election day. Mission members will, however, visit a small number of polling stations on election day.

A final report will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the electoral process.

Previous Elections

The OSCE/ODIHR has previously assessed the 2013 parliamentary elections.