TURKMENISTAN: ELECTION COMMISSION CHAIRMAN STILL

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000260

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2019
TAGS: PHUM PGOV TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: ELECTION COMMISSION CHAIRMAN STILL
LIVING IN ANOTHER ERA

Classified By: Charge Richard Miles, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting with State Department
assistance officials, the Chairman of the Central Elections
Commission spoke at length about Turkmenistan's progress in
reforming its electoral process, evidenced by the conduct of
recent parliamentary elections. He showed no interest in
assistance to reform basic electoral laws or to develop
outlets for electoral information. Despite the changes
highlighted by the Chairman, continuity, not grassroots
reform, remains the defining trait of Turkmenistan's
electoral system. END SUMMARY.

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS: A SERIES OF "FIRSTS"


2. (SBU) On February 24, EUR/ACE Coordinator, Dan Rosenblum,
and Central Asia Desk Officer, Dean Fischer, discussed recent
parliamentary elections with the Chairman of the Central
Election Commission (CEC),Murat Garriyev. The Chairman was
effusive about the December 2008 event, listing what he
referred to as a series of "firsts" that signified the
elections were a significant development beyond past
practice. Key among these innovations were: the
participation of foreign election observers; the election of
a newly-configured parliament consisting of 125 members;
granting the right to vote to prisoners in pre-trial
detention; the establishment of polling stations in 27
Turkmen Embassies; and in most cases, three candidates vying
for each seat.


3. (SBU) Garriyev pointed out that when President
Berdimuhamedov campaigned for election as President in 2007,
he had said that, if elected, there would be an "open door"
policy. In so far as the "open door" involved elections,
Garriyev said the invitation of foreign observers was the
result. He noted that 80 countries and organizations
expressed interest in observing the elections, and that all
who expressed interest received invitations. Garriyev
explained how the CEC organized travel for observers to reach
remote areas at their request. He also showed pride in the
holiday atmosphere that accompanied the elections, with food,
music and shopping in the vicinity of polling stations.
According to the Chairman, 89 percent of eligible voters
participated in the voting, 70 percent of whom voted before
2:00 p.m.


4. (SBU) On the subject of possible assistance, Garriyev
mentioned that the CEC could use modern equipment such as
computers for its 2,118 polling stations. Rosenblum
clarified that equipment was only one aspect of possible U.S.
assistance, in addition to areas such as expertise on the
legal basis for conducting elections and developing the means
by which voters receive electoral information. The Chairman
then backtracked, saying that polling stations are
well-equipped and that all election expenses were paid for by
the Turkmen Government, in contrast to the practice in the
U.S. where wealthy people "invest" in the process. He
mentioned the clear lucite ballot boxes used on election day,
misspeaking and referring to them as an example of "President
Turkmenbashy Niyazov's policy of openness." After a moment,
a fellow commission member subtly pointed out that the
Chairman had meant to refer to President Berdimuhamedov.


5. (C) COMMENT: Although the "firsts" fall far short of
meeting international standards, from the Chairman's
perspective, change is in the air and they are delivering on
President Berdimuhamedov's promises to reform. Nonetheless,
change is gradual and the electoral landscape is
characterized by continuity, to such an extent that the
Chairman was briefly able to forget, more than two year's
after Niyazov's death, that the former leader was no longer
in charge. END COMMENT.
MILES