AKIPRESS.COM - Early voting for the Turkmen presidential election has started on February 2 for citizens staying abroad. It will last until February 11, the state news agency of Turkmenistan said.

2,578 polling stations will be opened, including 39 polling stations at diplomatic missions of Turkmenistan abroad.

Registration of presidential candidates concluded on January 17. Nine candidates have been registered to run in the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for February 12.

Incumbent President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has been nominated by the Democratic Party.

Beknyrat Atalyev, Chairman of the Board of the Rysgal Bank has been nominated by the Aprty of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.

The Agrarian Party of Turkmenistan nominated its Mary province committee chief Durdygylych Orazov.

Presidential candidates were also nominated by groups of citizens, including Mary province vice governor Jumanazar Annayev, Seidy oil refinery director Ramazan Durdyev, Dashoguz province vice governor Meretdurdy Gurbanov, Ahal province economic and development department chief Serdar Jelilov, Garabogazsulphate Director Suleiman Nurnepesov, Vice Chairman of the State Association of Food Industry Maksat Annanepesov.

In accordance with the revised Constitution of Turkmenistan adopted on 14 September 2016, presidential term has been extended from 5 to 7 years, the age limit of 70 years has been removed for presidential candidates.