In the first months of the year, the motto of which is «Epoch of people with Arkadag», in an atmosphere of openness, transparency, democracy and on a broad alternative basis, an important socio-political campaign for the election of the President of Turkmenistan is being held.  At present, its first stage has been completed – the nomination and registration of candidates for the highest state post.

 It can be confidently stated that the upcoming presidential elections on March 12, 2022 will once again demonstrate the indestructible unity and cohesion of the Turkmen people, the unchanging commitment of our state and society to the principles of true democracy, and will become an important milestone in the modern history of the independent Turkmen state.

 The names of all applicants for the highest state post have already become known.  The interest shown by the people of Turkmenistan in the campaign unfolding in the country is enormous, which is quite understandable.  After all, the choice of the head of state is the choice of the future of the country.

 Today, the democratic processes carried out in our country on the initiative of esteemed President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov have been given a qualitatively new impetus.  According to national legislation and international practice, all candidates are given equal rights and opportunities to meet with voters and familiarize them with election programs, campaigning, including in the media.

 At the meeting of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan, held on February 11 in Ashgabat under the chairmanship of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the leader of the nation announced his decision to give way to young initiative leaders who are capable of taking responsibility for the fate of the Motherland and the people at a new stage in the development of the state.  Supporting this important initiative of the head of state, his wise decision, political parties and initiative groups of citizens nominated erudite, highly educated, young Turkmen citizens who showed organizational and leadership abilities, who are completely devoted to the interests of the Motherland, as candidates for the highest state post.

 In the era of power and happiness, huge changes took place in Turkmenistan.  The most important steps have been taken in strengthening the democratic foundations of the state, as evidenced by the course of the current election campaign.

 The Central Commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan, announcing its start on February 14, 2022, controls the democratic conduct of all stages of the electoral process, including the nomination of candidates, their registration, meetings with voters.  All this is a clear evidence of the commitment of the Turkmen people to their centuries-old democratic values.

 The course of the elections, which are held on a broad alternative basis, will be monitored not only by national observers from political parties and public organizations, but also by international experts and observers who have arrived in our country.

 A total of nine officially registered candidates will take part in the elections.  Three of them were nominated by the political parties of Turkmenistan.  From the Democratic Party – Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Serdar Berdimuhamedov, from the Agrarian Party – Deputy Hyakim of the Mary region Agajan Bekmyradov, from the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs – Director of the Economic Society «Wepaly gurlushyk» Babamyrat Meredov.

 In addition, in accordance with Article 46 of the Electoral Code, which determines the procedure for nominating candidates for the post of President of Turkmenistan, six candidates have been nominated by initiative groups of citizens of the country.  From the Lebap velayat, the director of the financial and economic secondary vocational school of the Lebap velayat, a member of the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan Perkhat Begendzhov, from the Balkan velayat – the chief physician of the Avaza sanatorium of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, deputy of the Mejlis Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Berdymammet Gurbanov, from the Akhal region -  Maksatmyrat Ovezgeldiyev, Head of the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service of the Babadaykhan etrap of the Akhal region, Maksat Odeshov, director of the Research and Production Center «Renewable Energy Sources» of the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan, from the Mary region, Maksat Odeshov, chairman of the committee of the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan of the Saparmurat Turkmenbashi etrap, from the city  Ashgabat – Vice-Rector for Research of the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences Hydyr Nunnaev.

 These days, an important stage of the election campaign is gaining momentum – the meeting of contenders for the post of President of Turkmenistan with the voters of the capital and all velayats of the country.  It should be noted that all candidates for the highest state post are given equal opportunities to organize meetings with voters.

 At the same time, each of the voters during the meetings has the opportunity to ask questions to any of the nominated candidates, to express their attitude to the program presented to them.

 In this respect, the meetings held by the nominee from the Democratic Party, Vice-Chairman of the Government of the country Serdar Berdimuhamedov, are especially indicative.  The young leader has proven himself to be a high professional in all managerial positions that were entrusted to him.

 Workers in the oil and gas sector are well aware of the merits and high business qualities of Serdar Berdimuhamedov, not only from publications in the press or TV spots, but from joint work, on his specific cases.  With a sense of great pride in the young leader, oil and gas workers watched his professional growth in responsible government positions.  And always for Serdar Berdimuhamedov in the first place were and are the interests of his native people and the prosperity of the Fatherland.

 It should be noted that voters, speaking these days at meetings with a candidate for the highest state post, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, invariably emphasize his excellent leadership and organizational skills, as well as modesty, responsiveness, and characterize him as an adherent of a healthy lifestyle, an exemplary family man.

 Serdar Berdimuhamedov graduated from the Turkmen Agricultural University named after S.A. Niyazov in 2001 with a degree in process engineering.  Being also a specialist in international relations, over the years of his career, he gained rich experience in managerial activity, holding such positions as the Chairman of the Mejlis Committee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy and then Hyakim of Akhal region, Minister of Industry and Construction Production, Chairman of the Supreme Control  chamber, member of the State Security Council, Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan.

 Serdar Berdimuhamedov identified the continuation of the cardinal reforms initiated in Turkmenistan, which are designed to ensure the progressive prosperity of the Motherland, social protection of the population, and strengthen the country's authority on the world stage, as a priority direction of state policy.

 As Serdar Berdimuhamedov himself notes, 2022, the year of the election of the President of Turkmenistan, will be the year of the rapid socio-economic development of the Motherland, the triumph of national democracy.  He defines his main task as the successful implementation of the Program “Revival of a new era of a powerful state: the National program of socio-economic development of Turkmenistan in 2022-2052” developed at the initiative of the leader of the nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and adopted at the meeting of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh on February 11 this year.

 We are confident that the assurances given to the people by the candidate for the post of President of the country Serdar Berdimuhamedov will certainly be fulfilled and will allow us to bring our state to new heights of progressive development, strengthen the international authority of the Motherland, and improve the life of the people of Turkmenistan.