AKIPRESS.COM - Observers report violation of the election law by presidential candidates in Turkmenistan, reports the Turkmen service of RFE/RL.

On January 30, President Berdymuhamedov presented a TV to cattle breeders at a meeting in Ahal province of Turkmenistan, who in turn promised to vote for the incumbent President in the upcoming election. The meeting was covered by the national television channel.

Independent observers say despite the refusal made by President Berdymuhamedov in public to use his time on national television channels, his meetings in the regions of the country turned into a kind of his election campaign.

The Turkmen President's visits to the regions were broadly covered by national television, which said voters from different sectors of the society expressed their support of their president.

The law on elections in Turkmenistan prohibit any gifts from candidates, their relatives and their supporting groups. In case of violation of such requirement, the Central Election Commission should issue a warning. A candidate should not be allowed to run in election in case the violation has been made repeatedly.

The Turkmen service of RFE/RL asked comments from the Central Election Commission, which asked not to confuse the election campaign with President Berdymuhamedov's work. A CEC representative said the President has the right to make gifts to workers to encourage their labor.

9 candidates have been registered to run in the presidential election on February 12.