AKIPRESS.COM - Elections experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) visited Ashgabat to lead a two-day workshop on 21 and 22 April 2015, focused on recommendations provided in the ODIHR final report for the 2013 parliamentary elections.

Members of the election administration and other relevant institutions took part in discussions at the workshop hosted by the Central Election Commission and the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat that focused on specific recommendations to strengthen the independence and transparency of the election administration, enhance voter registration, implementation of an effective complaints and appeals process, as well as on election day procedures. Other discussions included review of the legal framework for elections and current practices with respect to fundamental freedoms and the separation of the roles of the state and political parties during an electoral campaign.

During the workshop, ODIHR emphasized the importance of addressing recommendations made in the final report in an inclusive and open manner, and reiterated its support to the authorities of Turkmenistan in improving their electoral process in line with OSCE commitments for democratic elections.

The visit follows a presentation to the authorities in 2014 on the final report, at which ODIHR and the government of Turkmenistan agreed to continue co-operation in addressing the recommendations made in the report, including through workshops on election-related issues.

All OSCE participating States have committed themselves to promptly follow up on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations.