Duma to monitor Turkmenistan’s presidential election

The lower house of Russia’s parliament will send its observers to monitor the presidential election due to take place in Turkmenistan on February 12, the head of the State Duma committee for CIS affairs and ties with compatriots told reporters on Wednesday. He noted that parliamentarians will represent Russia through the CIS observer mission. A  delegation composed of seven members includes four parliamentarians from the United Russia, one – from the Liberal Democratic Party, the Communist Party and Just Russia. The delegation will be led by a member of the United Russia, Ildar Gilmutdinov. Eight candidates will run for presidency in the Central Asian republic. Six of them, including incumbent President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, were nominated by public organizations and associations, and the other two candidates – by initiative groups.