Turkmenistan Adopts Law on Unified State Voter Register to Enhance Electoral Transparency
Ashgabat, The Gulf Observer: Turkmenistan has officially adopted the Law “On the Unified State Voter Register,” which will come into effect on January 1, 2026. The announcement was made in Thursday’s edition of Neutral Turkmenistan (Russian language version), marking a significant step toward modernizing the country’s electoral framework.
The newly enacted legislation is aimed at ensuring accurate accounting of eligible voters while enhancing transparency and the integrity of Turkmenistan’s electoral processes. The Unified State Voter Register will contain key personal data, including surname, given name, date of birth, and voting address, along with other information as permitted by law. The legislation strictly prohibits the collection of data unrelated to the purposes of voter registration.
The Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan will be tasked with the overall oversight of the register, while regional management will be conducted by local government authorities through their designated bodies. Citizens will have the right to apply for inclusion in the register or to update their personal information to ensure accuracy.
The voter register will serve as the official basis for compiling voter lists during national elections and referendums. Its introduction represents a broader effort to digitize and modernize the country’s electoral infrastructure in alignment with Turkmenistan’s national digitalization strategy.
The law also provides a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the establishment and maintenance of the voter register, covering all citizens eligible to participate in electoral processes. This move is expected to contribute to a more efficient, transparent, and accountable democratic system in Turkmenistan.
