Turkmenistan Parliament polls close after controlled vote

Electors in Turkmenistan voted on March 26, 2023 to elect a new Parliament that is expected to be Opposition-free and loyal to the government of the gas-rich Central Asian nation

Gas-rich Turkmenistan on March 26, 2023 held the first Parliamentary polls since the ruling family tightened its iron grip on the Central Asian nation that does not tolerate political dissent or a free press.

Polling stations closed at 7 a.m. (1400 GMT), according to the electoral commission, with turnout estimated at 91.12% of the approximately 3.5 million voters.

The new President took power following a hereditary succession in March 2022, and the vote comes after the abolition of the legislature's upper house and the creation of a supreme body.

The former Soviet republic is one of the world's most repressive, secretive states and little is known about how the regime makes day-to-day decisions.

No election has been judged free or fair by Western poll observers.

President Serdar Berdymukhamedov and his father repeatedly stressed this election would be held according to democratic principles.

But the Opposition is not taking part and censorship is in force.